Citation

Pihet S, Suter M, Halfon O, Stephan P. Eur. J. Psychiatry 2012; 26(4): 215-226.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Departmento de Psiquiatria de la Facultad de Medicina de Zaragoza)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background and Objectives: To specify which of the documented cognitive and emotional deficits characterize adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) compared with high-risk controls.

METHODS: High-risk adolescent males with and without CD were compared on intellectual efficiency, cognitive flexibility, impulsivity, alexithymia, and cognitive coping strategies. Substance use was controlled for in analyses.

RESULTS: Both groups showed normal intellectual efficiency and cognitive flexibility, as well as heightened alexithymia and behavioral impulsivity. Youths with CD evidenced more self-defeating and black-and-white thinking under stress, and more acting-out under negative affect, than those without CD.

CONCLUSIONS: Deficits specific to CD resided in facets of emotional functioning and cognitive coping that might be targeted by a coping skills intervention. KW: Juvenile justice; Juvenile delinquency;

Language: en