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Background: Even though mental health problems and alcohol use remain major challenges facing adolescents, our understanding of their developmental progressions primarily stems from cohorts coming 1 of age in the early 2000's. We aimed to examine and describe normative developmental trajectories of depression, conduct problems, and alcohol use across adolescent years among more recent cohorts of Norwegian youth born in the 21st century. Methods: Multilevel mixed linear models for symptoms of depression and conduct disorder, and multilevel mixed logistic models for depressive disorder, conduct problems, any alcohol use, and risky drinking, were estimated with longitudinal data from a nationwide sample N = 3436 (55% girls) of Norwegian adolescents (mean age 14.3 [SD = 0.85] in 2017). We compared models with linear, quadratic, and cubic change with age, and models that tested moderation by sex and centrality (rural vs. urban communities). Results: Average symptoms and the rate of depressive disorder increased sharply from age 13 to age 19, but both the initial levels and the rates of change were greater for girls than for boys. Average symptoms of conduct disorder and the rate of conduct problems increased in early adolescence and were greater for boys than girls. The rates of any alcohol use and risky drinking both increased sharply from age 14, but there were no notable sex differences either in the initial levels or rates of change over time. Adolescents from more rural communities had greater rates of any drinking in mid-adolescence, but there were no other effects of centrality. Conclusions: This study provides a much-needed update concerning normative developmental trajectories of depression, conduct problems, and alcohol use among millennium cohorts. Consistent with prior studies, we observed significant increases in all outcomes across adolescence, with depression being both greater and more prevalent among girls and conduct problems being both greater and more prevalent among boys. Consistent with the emerging evidence, we observed no sex differences in alcohol use. Finally, there were no differences in the examined developmental trajectories as a function of centrality. These findings underscore the importance of early prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that sexting—the practice of sending, receiving, and forwarding sexual messages on digital media services—is associated with poor mental health. However, few studies have moved beyond cross-sectional designs, demonstrating that individuals who engage in sexting differ in mental health from those who do not. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether sexting was associated with increases in depression symptoms and conduct problems over time. We analyzed data from three rounds of the longitudinal MyLife study among Norwegian adolescents (n = 3,000). The participants completed e-questionnaires containing instruments on sexting and mental health at three annual assessments. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models were estimated to examine the effect of sexting on within-person changes in mental health, measured one year later. We also examined the potential reverse order of the effects. In accordance with findings from cross-sectional research, the analyses showed that boys who frequently engaged in sexting also reported more depression symptoms and conduct problems. For girls, we found only a significant between-person association for sexting and depression symptoms. However, sexting was not predictive of changes in depression symptoms or conduct problems over time. On the contrary, conduct problems predicted increased sexting scores but only for girls. Our results suggest that efforts to reduce sexting may not prevent mental health problems among young people. Intervention efforts should thus redirect attention from sexting as a driver of individual mental health problems to educating adolescents on how to perform safe and responsible sexting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are associated with interpersonal difficulties and risk for severe conduct problems (CP). The ability to communicate thoughts and feelings is critical to social success, with language a promising treatment target. However, no prior studies have examined objective linguistic correlates of childhood CU traits in early childhood, which could give insight into underlying risk mechanisms and novel target treatments. Methods. We computed lexical (positive emotion, sad, and anger words) and conversational (interruptions and speech rate) markers produced by 131 children aged 5–6 years (M = 5.98; SD = 0.54, 58.8% female) and their parents while narrating wordless storybooks during two online visits separated by 6–8 weeks (M = 6.56, SD = 1.11; two books, order counterbalanced). Audio recordings were diarized, time-aligned, and orthographically transcribed using WebTrans. Conversational markers were calculated using R and word frequencies were calculated using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software. We examined links between child CU traits and linguistic markers, and explored whether relationships were moderated by child sex. Results. Higher CU traits were associated with fewer positive emotion words produced by parents and children. Higher CU traits were also associated with greater concordance in the degree of interruptions and expression of anger emotion words by parents and children. Conclusions. Results suggest that objective linguistic correlates of CU traits are detectable during early childhood, which could inform adjunctive treatment modules that improve outcomes by precisely tracking and targeting subtle communication patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the Christchurch Health and Development Study (N = 1,265), we examine the prevalence and continuity of firesetting across the life course and explore whether adolescent firesetting is a risk marker for adult internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Life course continuity of firesetting was low. Adolescent firesetting (3%) correlated with antisocial behaviors and adverse family circumstances. Independent of conduct disorder, adolescent firesetting showed limited associations with adulthood internalizing outcomes, but associated with most externalizing outcomes (e.g., cannabis use disorder, OR = 2.08, 95% CI = [1.14, 3.78]). Further adjustment for antisocial tendencies and family circumstances reduced associations; the largest effect to remain was for alcohol use disorder (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = [1.19, 3.63]). Therefore, for most externalizing behaviors, adolescent firesetting is a marker (i.e., indicates future risk), but not an independent risk marker (i.e., does not have independent specificity). For adolescents who set fires, clinical treatment should assess comorbid conduct disorder and family instability and consider a range of problematic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that serious games can be used as supplementary training tools for young people with complex mental health needs. This study aimed to co-produce a mobile-accessible serious game, ReGoal, in collaboration with young people (11–16 years) and an interdisciplinary team of academic experts and practitioners. ReGoal is aimed to serve as a supplementary tool for improving emotion regulation, goal-orientation, and executive functioning skills. This study consisted of three interlinked co-production phases. First, 122 participants, of which 34% had moderate to high conduct problems, completed an online survey about the role of gaming in managing their emotions. During the second phase, 16 young people attended three focus groups in which their lived experiences shaped the narrative of ReGoal. In the third phase, an online user survey gathered feedback from 72 young people playing the most recent prototype of ReGoal. The key findings suggest that young people valued playing ReGoal as a supplementary aid to improving their mood, increasing empathy towards peers and family, reducing anxiety, anger, and impulsivity, and understanding other people’s emotions. Future research should test the applicability and feasibility of ReGoal in reducing behavioural problems with clinical and non-clinical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Introduction Aims Methods Results Implications for Practice Relevance to Mental Health Nursing Callous‐unemotional (CU) traits, parental practices and conduct problems (CP) have been consistently identified across numerous studies as significant predictors of the severity and persistence of juvenile delinquency.This study seeks to investigate the moderation dynamics underlying the relationships between these variables among Arab incarcerated youth. Specifically, the study aims to (1) explore whether parental practices moderate the relationship between CU traits and CP among incarcerated youth in Jordan and (2) examine the bidirectional moderating influence of CU traits in shaping the dynamic relationship between parental practices and CP within the context of Arab juvenile delinquency.An observational survey design was employed, gathering data from 184 incarcerated youth across 11 rehabilitation centres in Jordan. Latent profile analysis identified three parental practice classes: more positive, balanced and more negative.Moderation analyses indicated significant associations between CU traits, parental practices and CP. Parental practices, especially positive ones, moderated the relationship between CU traits and CP, highlighting the protective influence of balanced parenting. Furthermore, bidirectional moderation effects were observed: CU traits moderated the link between parental practices and CP, while CP influenced parenting practices, particularly in the presence of elevated CU traits.The findings of this study underscore the vital role mental health nurses can play in addressing the behavioural and psychological challenges faced by youth involved in the justice system and their families. Specifically, mental health nurses can aid in ameliorating mental distress by supporting parents in understanding and managing CU traits and CP. Nurses can provide targeted educational programmes that empower parents with strategies to reinforce positive parenting practices and reduce negative interactions. Furthermore, nurses can facilitate access to community resources and therapy options, helping families build a supportive environment conducive to the mental well‐being of the youth. These interventions are crucial not only for the direct treatment of juveniles but also in providing holistic support to their families, thereby enhancing the overall efficacy of mental health care in juvenile delinquency.This study highlights the essential role that mental health nurses play in managing behavioural issues among youth, emphasising the significance of implementing culturally sensitive interventions. Mental health nurses possess a pivotal position in early detection and intervention, which enables them to guide families in fostering positive parenting practices, essential for preventing delinquent behaviours. Their efforts to promote understanding and responsiveness within family dynamics make a significant contribution to the mental well‐being of individuals, highlighting the necessity of their role in global mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people with conduct problems (i.e., chronic behavioural issues characterized by rule violation, aggressive behaviour, classroom disruption) are particularly vulnerable to experiencing negative mental health and academic outcomes and are among the most frequent users of school-based mental health services. The behaviours associated with conduct problems can negatively impact youths' relationships with their parents, peers, and school personnel. The present qualitative study examined the service use experiences of individuals with histories of conduct problems, focusing on how service use was linked with how youth saw their relationships with others. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews carried out between 2019 and 2020 with 41 young adults ages 17–21 with histories of school-based specialized service use for conduct problems was conducted to understand how participants described the services they received in school, and how they saw this service use as shaping their relationships with others. We identified four themes of stigma and empathy in terms of how youth related service use to their interpersonal relationships. The findings underline the importance of raising awareness about the impacts of stigma for conduct problems. The implications for practice include the need for further research on empathy by service providers who work with youth with conduct problems. Highlights: Young adults with childhood histories of conduct problems described how they saw their service use as linked with their social relationships. Participants discussed how service use was associated with experiences of stigma, and the consequences of stigma for their outcomes. Participants noted how empathy from educators and other service providers helped support positive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to estimate the complex association between Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), substance use, and other risky behaviours in Czech adolescents whilst providing prevalence estimates of IGD and psychometric information regarding the Czech Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form (IGDS9-SF). A representative sample of 3,950 Czech adolescents was recruited through stratified random sampling in the school setting. Disordered gamers showed frequent use of specific substances such as pharmaceuticals, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide. In contrast, non-gamers had higher prevalence of alcohol, cigarettes, sedatives and tranquillisers, and marijuana use. A logistic regression, utilising IGDS9-SF raw scores and average daily gaming time, revealed a U-shaped relationship between gaming and both alcohol and cigarette use. Additionally, conduct problems such as bullying, and risky in-game behaviours were more prevalent among disordered gamers, with the exception of forging parents' signatures. The overall prevalence of IGD was 3.62% (95% CI = [3.1%, 4.3%]), with higher rates in males (5.89%; 95% CI = [4.9%, 7.0%]) than in females (1.45%; 95% CI = [1.0%, 2.1%]). The Czech IGDS9-SF used in the present study showed adequate psychometric properties. The association between gaming and substance use behaviours may be specific and multifaceted depending on the severity of the gaming-related problems. Furthermore, disordered gamers may become more vulnerable due to a higher incidence of conduct problems, bullying (victimisation), and in-game risky behaviours such as engagement with microtransactions mechanics (e.g., loot box) within video games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a need for causally stronger research on the association between child mental health and school exclusion and truancy. This study examines school exclusion and truancy in relation to both conduct and emotional problems and considers these problems both as predictors and as outcomes of school exclusion and truancy. Method: The sample included 15,236 individuals from the Millennium Cohort Study, a UK longitudinal birth cohort study. Conduct and emotional problems were assessed from childhood to adolescence (age 7, 11, 14 and 17 years), and reports of school exclusion and truancy were collected at age 11 and 14. Fixed effect analyses were used. Results: Increases in conduct problems and emotional symptoms were associated with subsequent exclusion (OR 1.22, [95% CI 1.08–1.37] and OR 1.16, [1.05–1.29], respectively). Emotional symptoms, but not conduct problems, predicted truancy (OR 1.17, [1.07–1.29]). These estimates were similar for males and females. Exclusion was associated with an increase in conduct problems at age 14 (0.50, [0.30–0.69]), and for males, it was associated with an increase in emotional symptoms both at age 14 (0.39, [0.12–0.65]) and 17 (0.43, [0.14–0.72]). Truancy was associated with an increase in conduct problems at age 14 (0.41, [0.28–0.55]), and for females also at age 17 (0.22, [0.03–0.42]), and it was associated with increased emotional symptoms at age 14 (0.43, [0.25–0.62]) and 17 (0.44, [0.21–0.66]), which was similar for males and females. Conclusion: Results indicate a bidirectional association between emotional symptoms and school exclusion and truancy, as an increase in these symptoms was associated with later truancy and exclusion, and emotional symptoms increased following both school events. For conduct problems, the association was bidirectional for school exclusion, but unidirectional for truancy as these symptoms did not lead to truancy, but an increase in conduct problems was observed after both exclusion and truancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research points to the promotion of parenting self-efficacy (PSE) as an important component of parenting interventions; however, few studies have tested PSE as a mediator or moderator of the effects of parenting programs on child behavior. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of the family check-up (FCU), a brief, strengths-based parenting intervention adapted for kindergarten school entry. We tested the FCU's effects on reducing growth in parent-reported child conduct problems (CP) from kindergarten to fifth grade and whether PSE functioned as a mediator or moderator of intervention effects, using a latent growth curve model and intent-to-treat approach. Participants were parents of 321 children from five elementary schools in a northwestern U.S. city. Although we did not find a main effect of the FCU in reducing growth in CP from kindergarten through fifth grade, we found a significant indirect effect of the FCU on reducing CP growth via improving PSE in second grade and that the indirect effect was moderated by baseline levels of PSE. Together, our findings suggest that the FCU is effective in promoting PSE, which is subsequently associated with reduced CP growth, particularly for parents with initially low PSE. Our findings bolster existing work on the relationship between PSE and child CP in the context of a preventive parenting intervention and emphasize the importance of PSE as an agent of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral parenting programs, such as Incredible Years (IY), reduce conduct problems in children. However, conduct problems encompass many different behaviors, and little is known about the effects of parenting programs on specific aspects of children's conduct problems, such as children's relationships with others. The aim of this study was to examine, for the first time, the effects of the IY parenting program on children's levels of conflict with their parents, siblings, and peers. We used individual participant-level data pooled across 12 randomized trials in Europe, comprising a total of 1,409 families: child aged 1–11 years (M = 5.53 years, SD = 1.56) and 61% male, 60% low-income families, and 30% from an ethnic minority. Multilevel models were used to explore the effects of IY on children's conflict with parents, siblings, and peers. The IY program reduced children's conflict with their parents (β = −.21), but there were no main effects of the program on conflict with siblings or peers. Moderation analyses showed that IY reduced conflict in sibling relationships for the 22% of families with the most severe sibling conflict at baseline. This suggests that high-quality behavioral parenting programs, such as IY, can effectively reduce children's conflict within the home (i.e., with parents and siblings), especially when initial levels of sibling conflict are high, but do not have broader benefits on children's interpersonal conflict outside of the home (i.e., with peers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prosocial behaviours – acts that benefit others – are of crucial importance for many species including humans. However, adolescents with conduct problems (CP), unlike their typically developing (TD) peers, demonstrate markedly reduced engagement in prosocial behaviours. This pattern is particularly pronounced in adolescents with CP and high levels of callous‐unemotional traits (CP/HCU) who are at increased risk of developing psychopathy in adulthood. While a substantial amount of research has investigated the cognitive‐affective mechanisms thought to underlie antisocial behaviour, much less is known about the mechanisms that could explain reduced prosocial behaviours in adolescents with CP. Methods: Here we examined the willingness to exert effort to benefit oneself (self) and another person (other, prosocial condition) in children with CP/HCU, CP and lower levels of CU traits (CP/LCU) and their TD peers. The task captured both prosocial choices, and actual effort exerted following prosocial choices, in adolescent boys aged 11–16 (27 CP/HCU; 34 CP/LCU; 33 TD). We used computational modelling to reveal the mechanistic processes involved when choosing prosocial acts. Results: We found that both CP/HCU and CP/LCU groups were more averse to initiating effortful prosocial acts than TD adolescents – both at a cognitive and at a behavioural level. Strikingly, even if they chose to initiate a prosocial act, the CP/HCU group exerted less effort following this prosocial choice than other groups. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that reduced exertion of effort to benefit others may be an important factor that differentiates adolescents with CP/HCU from their peers with CP/LCU. They offer new insights into what might drive low prosocial behaviour in adolescents with CP, including vulnerabilities that may particularly characterise those with high levels of CU traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood conduct problems and head injuries share a bidirectional association, but how this affects the risk of adolescent delinquency is unknown. Due to their similar underlying mechanisms (i.e. increased impulsivity), this study aims to identify whether their co-occurrence increases the risk of adolescent delinquency. Data was obtained from 11,272 children at age 14 and 10,244 at age 17 years enrolled in the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Conduct problem symptoms (via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and head injuries were parent reported from ages 3 to 14 years. Delinquency was self-reported at ages 14 and 17 including substance use, criminality, and antisocial behaviour. Incident rate ratios (IRR) were estimated for delinquency at ages 14 and 17 by childhood conduct problem and head injury status. Co-occurring head injuries and high conduct problem symptoms presented the greatest risk for overall delinquency and substance use at age 14 compared to those with the presence of one or neither (IRRs from 1.20 to 1.60). At age 17, conduct problems (with or without co-occurring head injuries) presented the greatest risk for overall delinquency, substance use, and antisocial behaviour. There was no evidence for an increased risk of delinquency at ages 14 or 17 following a head injury only. Whilst these findings suggest childhood head injuries alone do not increase the risk of adolescent delinquency, when co-occurring alongside high conduct problem symptoms there is a heightened earlier risk. These results provide further insight into adolescent delinquency and the outcomes of co-occurring childhood head injury and conduct problem symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal academic agency—the thoughts, actions, and emotions that impact individual functioning at school—is central for academic success. On average, students from low socio-economic status (low-SES) backgrounds report lower levels of personal academic agency than their more advantaged peers, but there are also many who achieve academic success. Identifying different personal academic agency profiles among students from low-SES backgrounds may assist in targeting efforts to boost these factors within that population—and to identify students who are faring well, as well as those who might require additional support. This study examined five factors of personal academic agency (perceived competence, school belonging, perseverance, academic buoyancy, and conduct problems) among 20,125 secondary school students from low-SES backgrounds at 421 Australian schools. We identified profiles of students that vary in patterns of personal academic agency, and examined teaching support predictors and achievement differences associated with profile membership. Latent profile analysis revealed five student profiles: Vulnerable (9% of sample), Resigned (27%), Precarious (28%), Average (32%), and Flourishing (14%) profiles. Students' perceptions of teaching support predicted membership in more adaptive profiles (i.e., Average and Flourishing profiles)—with the most consistent teaching support predictors being emotional support, classroom management, and instructional relevance. In addition, the Flourishing profile displayed the highest achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Even though mental health problems and alcohol use remain major challenges facing adolescents, our understanding of their developmental progressions primarily stems from cohorts coming 1 of age in the early 2000’s. We aimed to examine and describe normative developmental trajectories of depression, conduct problems, and alcohol use across adolescent years among more recent cohorts of Norwegian youth born in the 21st century. Methods Multilevel mixed linear models for symptoms of depression and conduct disorder, and multilevel mixed logistic models for depressive disorder, conduct problems, any alcohol use, and risky drinking, were estimated with longitudinal data from a nationwide sample N = 3436 (55% girls) of Norwegian adolescents (mean age 14.3 [SD = 0.85] in 2017). We compared models with linear, quadratic, and cubic change with age, and models that tested moderation by sex and centrality (rural vs. urban communities). Results Average symptoms and the rate of depressive disorder increased sharply from age 13 to age 19, but both the initial levels and the rates of change were greater for girls than for boys. Average symptoms of conduct disorder and the rate of conduct problems increased in early adolescence and were greater for boys than girls. The rates of any alcohol use and risky drinking both increased sharply from age 14, but there were no notable sex differences either in the initial levels or rates of change over time. Adolescents from more rural communities had greater rates of any drinking in mid-adolescence, but there were no other effects of centrality. Conclusions This study provides a much-needed update concerning normative developmental trajectories of depression, conduct problems, and alcohol use among millennium cohorts. Consistent with prior studies, we observed significant increases in all outcomes across adolescence, with depression being both greater and more prevalent among girls and conduct problems being both greater and more prevalent among boys. Consistent with the emerging evidence, we observed no sex differences in alcohol use. Finally, there were no differences in the examined developmental trajectories as a function of centrality. These findings underscore the importance of early prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use problems.

Emotion recognition difficulties are linked to callous-unemotional (CU) traits, which predict risk for severe antisocial behavior. However, few studies have investigated how stimulus characteristics influence emotion recognition performance, which could give insight into the mechanisms underpinning CU traits. To address this knowledge gap, children aged 7–10 years old (N = 45; 53% female, 47% male; 46.3% Black/African-American, 25.9% White, 16.7% Mixed race or Other, 9.3% Asian) completed an emotion recognition task featuring static facial stimuli from child and adult models and facial and full-body dynamic stimuli from adult models. Parents reported on CU traits of children in the sample. Children showed better emotion recognition for dynamic than static faces. Higher CU traits were associated with worse emotion recognition, particularly for sad and neutral expressions. Stimulus characteristics did not impact associations between CU traits and emotion recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Callous and unemotional (CU) traits are associated with an earlier onset of conduct problems in children. The presence of CU traits typically predicts a severe, stable, and aggressive pattern of behavior, especially when the onset of such behaviors begins in childhood. Children with conduct problems and CU continue to exhibit challenging behavior despite implementation of behavior management strategies compared to children with conduct problems alone. An emerging body of research suggests that Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) specifically tailored to address the characteristics unique to CU traits (PCIT-CU) may be an effective intervention for children with conduct problems + CU. This case study presents the treatment of a 3-year-old boy using PCIT-CU who presents with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—combined presentation (ADHD-C), and CU traits. Both caregivers participated but were separated. Following the completion of treatment, conduct problems improved, parent ratings of CU traits decreased, and positive parenting practices increased. This case study adds to the growing literature in support of tailoring behavioral management training interventions for children with conduct problems + CU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Herein, we consider the hypothesis that mothers harm peer relations when they respond to child conduct problems by expressing disapproval of friends, which exacerbates the behavior problems they were presumably attempting to deter.A community sample of Lithuanian adolescents (292 boys and 270 girls, aged 9–14 years) completed surveys three times during an academic year. Classmate nominations indexed peer status (acceptance and rejection), self‐reports described perceived maternal disapproval of friends, and peer nominations and self‐reports separately gauged conduct problems.Over the course of a school year: (a) conduct problems were associated with subsequent increases in perceived maternal friend disapproval; (b) perceived maternal friend disapproval was associated with subsequent decreases in peer status; and (c) low peer status was associated with subsequent increases in conduct problems. Full longitudinal, random‐intercept cross‐lagged panel mediation models confirmed that mothers who disapproved of friends were sources of peer difficulties that culminated in conduct problems and intermediaries whose response to child conduct problems damaged peer relations. Findings were stronger for peer rejection than for peer acceptance, suggesting that peers actively dislike those with mothers who intervene in peer relationships.Maternal disapproval of friends in response to child conduct problems damages the child's standing among peers, which then exacerbates behavior problems. This consequential cascade underscores the need for parent education about the potential deleterious consequences of well‐intentioned interference in peer relations. Practitioners should be prepared to offer constructive, alternative solutions when youth present behavior problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, many researchers have focused on the development of Conduct Problems from childhood to adolescence. Understanding behavior problems also requires an understanding of well-regulated characteristics. Focusing our assessment on strengths makes it possible, on the one hand, to help children or adolescents with deficits in important areas (e.g., socio-emotional deficits) to develop emotional regulation skills and adapt their responses to different contexts. This study aims to understand the role of self-competence, self-regulation, empathy, and responsibility (strength variables) in the relationship between Callous Unemotional characteristics and Conduct Problems, with a sample of 236 children aged between 3 and 10 years (M = 7.51, SD = 1.63), through mediation analysis. In general, our findings suggest that self-regulation significantly explains the relationship between the callous dimension of the Inventory of Callous–Unemotional Traits and Conduct Problems, pointing out that this strength variable seems to act as a protective factor against the development of behavior problems. No other mediation effects were found, and these results are considered in light of some limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Adolescents who are under the care of child and youth institutions are vulnerable due to factors that can include disruption to family structure or education and adverse experiences. They often experience poor or unstable support systems, leaving them at risk of delinquency. In this context, sports engagement may provide a stable structure and have positive effects in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions, knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding social and emotional skills among at-risk adolescents, with a specific focus on their engagement in sports. (2) Methods: Ninety-six adolescents aged 12 to 17 years (66 female, 30 male), residing in child and youth care institutions across Italy, Portugal, the UK, and Turkey, participated in this study. The participants were divided into 14 focus groups, each with six to eight participants of similar ages. (3) Results: Thematic analysis revealed four main themes: Emotional causes of behavioral problems; Emotional skills to regain control; Social support makes sports worthwhile; Sport as a socio-emotional resource. (4) Conclusions: The study findings highlight that although sports create many challenging emotional situations for these adolescents, they also provides resources that may help them cope with their emotions within and beyond sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood callous-unemotional (CU) traits are characterized by low empathy, limited prosocial behavior, and restricted social affiliation. However, few studies have investigated whether CU traits are associated with different subtypes of prosocial and affiliative behavior or the specific motivational difficulties underlying these behaviors. We addressed these questions using data from 135 young children (M = 5.48 years old; 58% female) who viewed depictions of adults or children in instrumental need, emotional need, or neutral situations. We assessed recognition, suggested initiation of, and motivation for prosocial or affiliative behavior in response to each depiction. We distinguished between subtypes of prosocial (instrumental and emotional) and affiliative (parallel, cooperative, associative) behavior, as well as self- versus other-orientated motivations. Parents reported on child CU traits and conduct problems. Overall, children accurately recognized prosocial and neutral situations, offered help, and expressed other-orientated motivations for prosocial behavior and social motivations for affiliative behavior. Higher CU traits were related to lower overall recognition accuracy, which was more pronounced for emotional need. Higher CU traits were also related to fewer offers of help and more denial of prosocial behavior, particularly for instrumental need. Finally, CU traits were related to lower probability of initiating affiliative behavior. CU traits were not differentially related to self- versus other-orientated motivations for prosocial or affiliative behavior. Findings demonstrate difficulties of children with CU traits in recognizing need and offering help. Interventions for CU traits could include modules that explicitly scaffold and shape prosociality and social affiliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between childhood mental health difficulties such as conduct problems and adult political abstention has been overlooked despite early mental health difficulties potentially resulting in political self-marginalisation. Using the1970s British Cohort Study, we estimate developmental trajectories of conduct problems (i.e., from 5 to 16 years). Logistic regression, linear probability models, and propensity score matching were then conducted to test the association between trajectory group membership and voter turnout at 30, 42, and 46 years of age. Three distinct trajectories of conduct problems were identified: a normative (n = 11,871; reference group), moderate-chronic (n = 3433), and elevated-chronic (n = 250) group. Results revealed an association between conduct problems and decreased turnout. In particular the elevated-chronic group had a decreased odds of voting of 52.2%, 52.0%, and 45.7%, as compared to the normative group at 30, 42, and 46 years respectively. The moderate-chronic group had a decreased odds of voting of 24.7% as compared to the normative group at age 30 only. Matched results and linear probability models substantiated findings, suggesting (1) the importance of considering childhood factors when examining antecedents of lifelong voting behaviour, and (2) the political self-marginalisation of people with chronic childhood conduct problems more than 3 decades later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children and adolescents with conduct problems participate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), either in individual or group format, in view of learning social problem-solving skills that enable them to behave in more independent and situation-appropriate ways. Parents must support their child's learning processes in everyday life and therefore these processes need attention in CBT sessions in which parents and their child participate. The social problem-solving model of CBT previously described (Matthys & Schutter, Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 25:552–572, 2022; Matthys & Schutter, Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 26:401–415, 2023) consists of nine psychological skills. In this narrative review we propose that instead of addressing each skill separately in sessions with both parents and their child, therapists work on three schemas (latent mental structures): (1) goals, (2) outcome expectations, and (3) normative beliefs about aggression. Based on social-cognitive and cognitive neuroscience studies we argue that these three schemas affect five core social problem-solving skills: (1) interpretation, (2) clarification of goals, (3) generations of solutions, (4) evaluation of solutions, and (5) decision-making. In view of tailoring CBT to the individual child's characteristic schemas and associated social problem-solving skills, we suggest that children and adolescents participate in individual sessions with their parents. The therapist uses Socratic questioning in order to find out characteristic schemas of the child, encourage reflection on these schemas, and explore alternative schemas that had previously been outside the child's attention. The therapist functions as a model for parents to ask their child questions about the relevant schemas with a view of achieving changes in the schemas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the comorbidity between conduct problems (CP) and depressive symptoms (DS) is associated with a host of negative outcomes, the factors, such as temperament, that might explain this comorbidity in school-aged boys and girls are poorly understood. This study compared elementary school children presenting co-occurring CP and DS to children with DS only, CP only, and those with low-level symptoms on temperament dimensions, and explored the moderating role of child sex in the associations. Participants are 487 children (M = 8.38 years, SD = 0.92, 52.2% girls) divided into four groups (CP + DS, DS only, CP only, control). Findings suggest that boys with CP and DS presented a lower level of fear than boys with DS and boys from the control group. They also presented higher levels of activity than boys with DS. Girls with CP and DS presented lower levels of fear than girls with DS, lower levels of approach and activity than girls with CP, and higher levels of shyness than girls from the control group. These findings suggest that temperament may discriminate children with comorbid CP and DS from those presenting only CP or DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent empirical work has suggested that youths with conduct problems and presenting high levels of callous-unemotional (CU) traits can be divided in two variants (i.e., primary, secondary) presenting specific characteristics and needs, but studies examining outcomes associated longitudinally with variants memberships remain scarce. Building on a previous investigation in which we identified variants of CU traits among children with conduct problems, we examined differences between groups on a wide range of behavioral/psychological, relational/social, and educational outcomes assessed during adolescence (n = 309, mean age = 17.4, SD = 0.96). When compared to those from the primary variant, youths from the secondary variant reported higher levels of conduct, opposition, attention deficit/hyperactivity and anxiety problems, had lower teacher-reported academic performance, experienced more conflictual relationships with their teachers, and were at higher risk of being victimized by their intimate partner. These results shed light on the specific clinical characteristics of children from the secondary variant that are likely to persist until adolescence. Providing these children with intensive preventive interventions targeting these long-term consequences could be particularly beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Conduct problems in children are related to callous-unemotional (CU) behaviors. However, results of the relationships between CU behaviors and conduct problems among preschoolers mainly focused on Western countries, no studies have examined whether CU behaviors predict conduct problem in Chinese preschoolers. The primary objective of the current study therefore was to examine the associations between CU behaviors and conduct problems as well as the moderating effects of surgency and child gender in Chinese preschool children. Methods: The present study randomly selected 2,154 children (1,043 boys, Mage = 56 months, SD = 10.47) from six kindergartens in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Mothers rated children's surgency and teachers reported children's CU behaviors and conduct problems. Results: Results demonstrated that CU behaviors were positively associated with conduct problems. Surgency and child gender significantly moderated these associations. Specifically, CU behaviors were positively associated with conduct problems, with a stronger effect found for high levels of surgency. CU behaviors had a positive association with conduct problems, with a stronger effect found for boys. Discussion: This study indicate that temperament and gender characteristics influence conduct problems in preschoolers who exhibit high levels of CU behaviors. As well, the findings emphasize the significance of considering the meaning and implication of CU behaviors in Chinese culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although previous research has established a link between the variant rs53576 of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and social behaviors, our understanding of its long-term impact on mental health from early childhood to adolescence remains limited. This study aimed to explore the potential link between children's involvement in recreational activities with parents during early childhood, their OXTR rs53576 genotype, and the subsequent development of psychopathology. It involved gathering data during three different stages: early childhood (T1), middle childhood (T2), and adolescence (T3). During T1, the parents of 144 Chinese participants aged 4 to 6 years (48.6% boys) completed a scale on frequency of parent-child recreational activities. Three years later (T2), parents were re-surveyed about the participant's conduct problems, which was assessed using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Seven years later (T3), the participants completed the Depression scale of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 to evaluate their levels of depressive symptoms. Additionally, buccal swab samples were collected and genotyped for OXTR rs53576. OXTR rs53576 genotypes were found to interact with the frequency of parent-child recreational activities to predict future conduct problems (β=-1.38, p = 0.028). Increased conduct problems were in turn associated with a higher level of subsequent depressive symptoms during adolescence (r = 0.22, p < 0.05). Engaging in recreational activities with parents during early childhood is important for the overall well-being of children, particularly for those who demonstrate a tendency of being sociable. Early childhood interventions should educate and assist parents in designing unstructured play based on their young children's sociability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender and, to a lesser extent, sexual identity, are relevant factors in understanding variance in the prevalence, consequences, and treatment of conduct problems. The current study uses thematic analysis to explore how youth with early‐onset conduct problems and extensive histories of school‐based service use perceive gender and sexuality as impacting their service use experiences. Qualitative analysis of interviews with 41 youth (17–21 years old; 53.7% women) yielded themes pertaining to gender, sexual identity, and discrimination in service use contexts. Identified themes included homophobia in service use and adjacent school contexts, stereotypes around masculinity and femininity as conditioning peer and school staff's behavior, and salience of sexuality across developmental stages and historical timeframes. Results suggest that increased school staff training and school‐based interventions be implemented to support gender and sexual diversity, both within services for conduct problems and more broadly in school contexts. In particular, the current findings highlight homophobia as a factor limiting boys' access to mental health services. Practitioner Points: Youth who had received school services for conduct problems discussed how they perceived gender and sexuality as impacting their service use experiences.Youth described homophobia directed against boys who received or sought services, regardless of sexuality, which may particularly limit access to services for boys with conduct problems.Findings support the implementation of preventative policies and practices to address homophobia in schools, and suggest that these may be particularly important in schools providing specialized services for conduct problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conduct problems (CP) in childhood and adolescence have a significant impact on the individual, family, and community. To improve treatment for CP, there is a need to improve the understanding of the developmental pathways leading to CP in boys and girls. Prior research has linked the child's fearlessness and callous–unemotional (CU) traits, as well as experiences of parental warmth and punitive parenting, to CP. However, few studies have tested the interplay of these factors in contributing to future CP development. The present study aimed to test the InterFear model, which suggests that fearlessness in early childhood leads to CP through an indirect pathway involving low positive parenting, high negative/punitive parenting, and callous–unemotional (CU) traits. The sample included 2467 Spanish children (48.1% girls; Mage = 4.25; SD = 0.91), followed up across a five-year period. Besides a direct association between fearlessness in early childhood and future CP, the results found an indirect pathway whereby fearlessness reduces positive parenting and increases punitive parenting, which contributes to the development of CU traits and sets the stage for CP in later childhood. The specific indirect effect from fearlessness to CP via CU traits accounted for most of the variance, suggesting the existence of a temperamental pathway independent of parental variables. Further, two additional indirect pathways, exclusive of fearlessness, were identified, which started with low parental warmth and positive parenting, leading to CP via CU traits. These findings support the InterFear model, demonstrating multiple pathways to CP with the involvement of fearlessness, parenting practices, and CU traits. This model might play a pivotal role in the development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies for CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conduct problems are increasingly prevalent in girls and they uniquely predict negative outcomes. Yet, few reliable risk factors for aggression and violence in girls and women have been identified. Although preliminary evidence suggests peer relationships may be central to the development of youth conduct problems, especially in girls, rigorous interactive models of peer risk and protective factors for conduct problems are lacking. Based on 3104 10-13-year-old girls in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study, we tested the independent associations of separate peer risk factors (i.e., relational aggression victimization, physical aggression victimization, and deviant peer affiliation) with multidimensional conduct problems, including their moderation by peer support. Being the victim of relational aggression, being the victim of physical aggression, and deviant peer affiliation were each positively associated with conduct problems and perpetration of aggression whereas peer support was negatively associated with youth report conduct problems and perpetration of physical aggression. Further, elevated peer support significantly attenuated the association of being the victim of relational aggression with teacher-rated conduct problems. These results highlight the sensitivity of conduct problems to peer risk factors and suggest that peer support designates important configurations of risk that differentially relate to conduct problems in girls.

IntroductionAlthough psychotic behaviors can be difficult to assess in children, early identification of children at high risk for the emergence of psychotic symptoms may facilitate the prevention of related disorders. Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), or subthreshold thought and perceptual disturbances, could be early manifestations of psychosis that may predict a future diagnosis of a psychosis-related disorder or nonspecific correlates of a wide range of psychological problems. Additional research is needed regarding how PLEs map onto dimensions of psychopathology in children.MethodsIn the present study, we examined the association between PLEs and general and specific dimensions of psychological problems in a sample of 10,692 children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD Study).ResultsThe results of this study showed that self-reported PLEs were associated with a general psychopathology factor and an ADHD factor, which were defined in hierarchical models of parent-rated psychological problems.DiscussionThese findings suggest that PLEs are broadly associated with a wide range of psychological problems through the general psychopathology factor even before psychotic disorders typically manifest. This study supports the need for longitudinal analyses of future waves of the ABCD Study to determine if PLEs can detect children at high risk for serious psychological problems in adulthood.

Background: The influence of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) programs on behavioural problems among community youth is largely understudied. While technology continues to evolve and the prevalence of screen-based activities is rising, limited studies have accounted for screen time when examining the efficacy of an MBI. Accordingly, this study investigated the impact of MBI on conduct problems and hyperactivity among community youth, accounting for sociodemographic characteristics and four types of screen time. Method: Linear regression models were used to investigate 1) the association between four types of screen time and behavioural problems (i.e., conduct problems and hyperactivity) and 2) the efficacy of online mindfulness programs in reducing behavioural problems among community youth. The data were collected at baseline, intervention completion and 1-month follow-up (Spring 2021 to Spring 2022) in Ontario, Canada (n=117, mean age=16.82, male=22%, non-White=21%). Results: The average score for conduct problems was within the normal range, while the average score for hyperactivity was considered borderline at baseline. Accounting for other types of screen time, time spent playing video games was significantly associated with increased conduct problems (b= 1.75, p=.03), albeit rendering non-significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. The online mindfulness program was significantly associated with reduced hyperactivity, controlling for baseline mental health, age, sex and screen time. Conclusion: The current findings suggest a 12-week online mindfulness program may play a positive role in reducing hyperactivity even when accounting for screen time. Our findings advocate the evidence base on the efficacy of MBI in managing hyperactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better describe and treat children with conduct problems (CP), grandiose-manipulative and daring-impulsive traits are proposed for subtyping CP, instead of using only a callous-unemotional specifier. However, the acclaimed benefits of having multiple specifiers for CP remain largely untested and therefore highly speculative. To fill this gap, this study tested longitudinal relations between these 3 specifiers and developmental outcomes in childhood and adolescence, independent of early childhood CP. Longitudinal data from 2 community studies were used. Teacher ratings were used to measure CP and the specifiers in 3- to 5-year-olds from Sweden (n = 2,064) and Spain (n = 2,055). Developmental outcomes were assessed by multiple informants (ie, teachers, parents, and children) 1 to 8 years later. Early childhood CP were predictive of all outcomes. Callous-unemotional traits predicted low levels of social competence and prosocial behavior, independent of CP (and age, sex, and socioeconomic status). Grandiose-manipulative and daring-impulsive traits were predictive of aggression and violent delinquency, respectively, independent of CP, but also of higher levels of prosocial behavior or social competence. The 3 specifiers are predictive of different outcomes, independent of CP, which is thought to form the basis for developing specifiers for CP. Findings tentatively challenge the centrality of callous-unemotional traits for subtyping CP, but it is premature to conclude that grandiose-manipulative and daring-impulsive specifiers are needed in future revisions of DSM and ICD. Efforts to systematically evaluate the utility of these specifiers should be welcomed to inform ongoing debates on this matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conduct problems are a range of disruptive behaviours in childhood that are associated with long-term adverse outcomes in adolescence and adulthood, including antisocial behaviour, substance misuse, and poor academic achievement. Children with conduct problems can vary according to age of onset, comorbidities, and environmental factors, and certain groups of children may have different treatment outcomes. It is therefore important to assess the extent to which personalised interventions for pre-specified groups of children with conduct problems may affect outcomes. We searched 13 databases and 2 trials registers up to February 2022. Randomized controlled trials, in any setting, of children (2–12 years old) with conduct problems and within a pre-specified subgroup, comparing a personalised intervention with a non-personalised intervention, waitlist control or treatment as usual were included. Personalised intervention may improve child conduct problems or disruptive behaviour measured using the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) Problem subscale in the short term but may have little to no effect on improving child conduct problems or disruptive behaviour measured by the ECBI Intensity subscale or the Externalising subscale of the Child Behaviour Checklist in the short term. The certainty of evidence for all outcomes was graded as very low. In conclusion, there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of personalised interventions for subgroups of children with conduct problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the associations among conduct problems, callous–unemotional (CU) traits, and indices of emotion recognition accuracy and emotion recognition bias obtained from human faces. Impairments in emotion recognition were considered within broader, impaired emotional and social functioning. The sample consisted of 293 middle-school students (51.19% girls; M age = 12.97 years, SD = 0.88 years). In general, CU traits were associated with less accuracy in recognizing emotions, especially fearful and angry faces, and such deficits in emotional recognition were not associated with conduct problems independent of CU traits. These results support the importance of studying potential deficits in the recognition of emotions other than fear. Furthermore, our results support the importance of considering the role of CU traits when studying emotional correlates of conduct problems. For children scoring high on CU traits, the emotion recognition accuracy of anger was low irrespective of the level of conduct problems, whereas in children scoring low on CU traits, less accuracy in recognizing emotions was related to increases in conduct problems. Finally, our results support the need for research to not only focus on accuracy of emotional recognition but also test whether there are specific biases leading to these inaccuracies. Specifically, CU traits were associated not only with lower accuracy in recognizing fearful faces but also with a tendency to interpret fearful faces as angry. This suggests that the emotional deficit associated with CU traits is not just a deficit in empathic concern toward others distress but also includes a tendency to overinterpret emotions as potential threats to oneself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions The Sensitivity to Threat and Affiliative Reward (STAR) model proposes low threat sensitivity and low affiliation as risk factors for callous‐unemotional (CU) traits. Preliminary evidence for the STAR model comes from work in early childhood. However, studies are needed that explore the STAR dimensions in late childhood and adolescence when severe conduct problems (CP) emerge. Moreover, it is unclear how variability across the full spectrum of threat sensitivity and affiliation gives rise to different forms of psychopathology beyond CU traits.The current study addressed these gaps using parent‐ and child‐reported data from three waves and a sub‐study of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study® of 11,878 youth (48% female; ages 9–12).Consistent with the STAR model, low threat sensitivity and low affiliation were independently related to CU traits across informants and time. Moreover, there was significant interaction between the STAR dimensions, such that children with lower sensitivity to threat and lower affiliation had higher parent‐reported CU traits. Unlike CU traits, children with higher threat sensitivity had higher parent‐reported CP and anxiety. Finally, children with lower affiliation had higher parent‐reported CP, anxiety, and depression. Results largely replicated across informants and time, and sensitivity analysis revealed similar findings in children with and without DSM‐5 defined CP.Results support the STAR model hypotheses as they pertain to CU traits and delineate threat sensitivity and affiliation as independent transdiagnostic risk factors for different types of psychopathology. Future research is needed to develop fuller and more reliable and valid measures of affiliation and threat sensitivity across multiple assessment modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Across several sites in the United States, we examined whether kindergarten conduct problems among mostly population‐representative samples of children were associated with increased criminal and related (criminal + lost offender productivity + victim; described as criminal + victim hereafter) costs across adolescence and adulthood, as well as government and medical services costs in adulthood. Methods: Participants (N = 1,339) were from two multisite longitudinal studies: Fast Track (n = 754) and the Child Development Project (n = 585). Parents and teachers reported on kindergarten conduct problems, administrative and national database records yielded indexes of criminal offending, and participants self‐reported their government and medical service use. Outcomes were assigned costs, and significant associations were adjusted for inflation to determine USD 2020 costs. Results: A 1SD increase in kindergarten conduct problems was associated with a $21,934 increase in adolescent criminal + victim costs, a $63,998 increase in adult criminal + victim costs, a $12,753 increase in medical services costs, and a $146,279 increase in total costs. In the male sample, a 1SD increase in kindergarten conduct problems was associated with a $28,530 increase in adolescent criminal + victim costs, a $58,872 increase in adult criminal + victim costs, and a $144,140 increase in total costs. In the female sample, a 1SD increase in kindergarten conduct problems was associated with a $15,481 increase in adolescent criminal + victim costs, a $62,916 increase in adult criminal + victim costs, a $24,105 increase in medical services costs, and a $144,823 increase in total costs. Conclusions: This investigation provides evidence of the long‐term costs associated with early‐starting conduct problems, which is important information that can be used by policymakers to support research and programs investing in a strong start for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at evaluating the associations between maternal parenting practices (positive, negative/inconsistent, and punitive), children's difficulties (such as conduct problems, emotional symptoms, peer problems, and hyperactivity), and prosocial behaviors. Participants were 131 Italian mothers of primary school children; mothers were aged between 26 and 52 years (M = 38.38, SD = 5.46); children (54% girls) were aged between 6 and 10 years (M = 7.15, SD = 0.98). Mothers completed two scales assessing their parenting practices and their children's psychosocial adjustment. A path analysis was run to test the hypothesized model. The results showed the following: (a) maternal positive parenting was negatively and significantly related to children's conduct problems and hyperactivity, and positively and significantly to children's prosocial behavior; (b) maternal negative/inconsistent parenting was positively and significantly related to children's conduct problems, emotional symptoms, and hyperactivity; (c) maternal punitive parenting was positively and significantly related to children's conduct problems and emotional symptoms. Moreover, the results showed that, according to the mothers' perceptions, boys tended to exhibit higher levels of hyperactivity and peer problems and lower levels of prosocial behaviors than girls. Overall, this study highlights the unique role of different maternal parenting practices in the psychosocial adjustment of primary school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conduct problems are associated with an increased risk of a wide range of physical, mental, and social problems. However, there is still uncertainty about how early risk factors differentiate different developmental patterns of conduct problems and whether findings replicate across diverse social contexts. We aimed to identify developmental trajectories of conduct problems, and test early risk factors, in the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort in Brazil. Conduct problems were measured at ages 4, 6, 11, and 15 years from caregiver reports on the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Conduct problem trajectories were estimated using group-based semi-parametric modeling (n = 3938). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between early risk factors and conduct problem trajectories. We identified four trajectories: three with elevated conduct problems, including early-onset persistent (n = 150; 3.8%), adolescence-onset (n = 286; 17.3%), and childhood-limited (n = 697; 17.7%), and one with low conduct problems (n = 2805; 71.2%). The three elevated conduct problem trajectories were associated with a wide range of sociodemographic risk factors, prenatal smoking, maternal mental health, harsh parenting, childhood trauma, and child neurodevelopmental risk factors. Early-onset persistent conduct problems were particularly associated with trauma, living without a father figure, and attention difficulties. The four trajectories of conduct problems from ages 4 to 15 years in this Brazilian cohort have similar longitudinal patterns to those identified in high-income countries. The results confirm previous longitudinal research and developmental taxonomic theories on the etiology of conduct problems in a Brazilian sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effective treatment of child conduct problems is understood to rely on a range of therapist competencies, yet these have rarely been an explicit focus of research. In this practitioner review, we examine core competencies for the delivery of evidence‐based parenting interventions for conduct problems in early‐to‐middle childhood. These are examined in light of research into the common elements shared by these interventions, literature regarding common challenges in these interventions, and conceptualisations of such competencies in other fields of mental health. Methods: We report on the development of a novel consensus‐based model of core competencies for evidence‐based practice in this field, based on consultation with an international expert panel. This includes competencies as they apply to complex presentations of conduct problems. Results: Despite considerable variation among widely disseminated programmes in terms of content, format and skills‐training practices, there is strong consensus among practitioners regarding core competencies. These relate to three broad domains: (a) generic therapeutic competencies; (b) parenting intervention competencies; (c) specific parenting skills/techniques. Conclusions: Practitioners working with conduct problems, particularly complex presentations thereof, require competencies for engaging not only mothers, but fathers and diverse/non‐traditional caregivers and other stakeholders, in evidence‐based parenting interventions. Moreover, the successful delivery of these interventions necessitates competencies that extend beyond behaviour management and encompass broader aspects of the family system and the wider ecology of the child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood head injuries and conduct problems increase the risk of aggression and criminality and are well-known correlates. However, the direction and timing of their association and the role of their demographic risk factors remain unclear. This study investigates the bidirectional links between both from 3 to 17 years while revealing common and unique demographic risks. A total of 8,603 participants (50.2% female; 83% White ethnicity) from the Millennium Cohort Study were analysed at 6 timepoints from age 3 to 17. Conduct problems were parent-reported for ages 3 to 17 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and head injuries at ages 3 to 14. A cross-lagged path model estimated the longitudinal bidirectional effects between the two whilst salient demographic risks were modelled cumulatively at three ecological levels (child, mother, and household). Conduct problems at age 5 promoted head injuries between 5 and 7 (Z = 0.07; SE = 0.03; 95% CI, 0.02–0.13), and head injuries at ages 7 to 11 promoted conduct problems at age 14 (ß =.0.06; SE =.0.03; 95% CI, 0.01–0.12). Head injuries were associated with direct child-level risk at age 3, whereas conduct problems were associated with direct risks from all ecological levels until 17 years. The findings suggest a sensitive period at 5–11 years for the bidirectional relationship shared between head injuries and conduct problems. They suggest that demographic risks for increased head injuries play an earlier role than they do for conduct problems. Both findings have implications for intervention timing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origins of antisocial behaviour are complex and vary between individuals. We need to improve our understanding of the transactional and iterative unfolding of brain and cognitive development within a relational context. Without this study of the 'embedded brain', we cannot fully understand the emergence and maintenance of antisocial behaviour. To advance the study of the 'embedded brain', the field needs to unify ways of measuring antisocial behaviour and generate more reliable and sensitive measures of brain, cognition, and social environment. Improved understanding of different developmental pathways to antisocial behaviour can help personalise interventions and improve their effectiveness. Antisocial behaviour (ASB) incurs substantial costs to the individual and society. Cognitive neuroscience has the potential to shed light on developmental risk for ASB, but it cannot achieve this potential in an 'essentialist' framework that focuses on the brain and cognition isolated from the environment. Here, we present the case for studying the social transactional and iterative unfolding of brain and cognitive development in a relational context. This approach, which we call the study of the 'embedded brain', is needed to fully understand how risk for ASB arises during development. Concentrated efforts are required to develop and unify methods to achieve this approach and reap the benefits for improved prevention and intervention of ASB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many studies have identified risk and protective factors of substance use (SU), few have assessed the reciprocal associations of child conduct problems (CP) and parenting practices and behaviors in the prediction of SU across development. A greater understanding of how these factors relate over time is needed to improve the timing of targeted prevention efforts. This study examined how child CP, parenting behaviors, and parents' own antisocial behavior relate from preschool to adolescence and eventuate in SU. Participants included 706 youth (70.6% male; 89.7% white) enrolled in the Michigan Longitudinal Study. Data from waves 1 (ages 3–5), 2 (ages 6–8), 3 (ages 9–11), 4 (ages 12–14), and 5 (ages 15–17) were included. A random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) examined reciprocal associations between parenting practices, parents' antisocial behavior, and child CP over time (waves 1–4) and how these factors contribute to adolescent alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use (wave 5). At the within-person level, negative parenting and parents' own antisocial behavior had a strong influence in late childhood/early adolescence. Only child CP emerged as a significant predictor of SU. Results highlight the importance of early intervention and the potential influence of parenting and child factors throughout development in the prevention of SU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous findings in the UK and Colombia show that CU traits predict later aggression specifically among children who are already aggressive. We hypothesised that this effect would be reduced in the presence of maternal praise and positivity. In a sample of 220 mothers and children from Colombia, mother–child interactions were coded for maternal praise and positivity, and mothers reported on children's CU traits at age 3.5 and aggression at ages 3.5 and 5 years. The results show three-way interactions between CU traits, child aggression and observed parenting at age 3.5 years in the prediction of later child aggression, and two-way interactions indicating a protective effect of positive parenting in the high aggressive children. Based on our finding, it is plausible that positive parenting may modify the effect of CU traits in the highly vulnerable group of children who are already aggressive in early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]