One of several childhood behavioral disturbances, CONDUCT DISORDER refers to repeated patterns of conduct by a child that violate the basic rights of others or transgress age-appropriate societal rules. The behavior is socially disruptive and generally more serious in its consequences than typical childhood mischief. The duration of the behavior, its severity, and the kinds of actions involved distinguish conduct disorder from general misbehavior. Conduct disorder is the most common behavioral problem seen in child psychiatric settings in North America.

The behaviors that characterize this disorder include theft, vandalism, physical fights—sometimes with weapons—fire setting, running away from home, truancy, repetitive lying, forcing sexual activity on others, physical cruelty to animals and to people, and substance abuse. Legal involvement may ensue. Different children may manifest different combinations of these behaviors, and these in turn may change at different points of child...