Concept: Conduct Disorder

Introduction

This concept describes the research methods used at MCHP to define conduct disorder. Links are also provided to the findings of this research.

Definition

Conduct disorder is characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of antisocial, aggressive, or defiant behaviour. The behaviour is more severe than ordinary childish mischief or adolescent rebelliousness and is enduring (six months or longer). Examples of these behaviours include excessive levels of fighting or bullying, cruelty to other people or animals, severe destructiveness to property, fire-setting, stealing, repeated lying, truancy from school and running away from home, unusually frequent and severe temper tantrums, and disobedience (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

MCHP Research Definitions for Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder has been defined differently in MCHP research over time.

1. Roos et al. (2013)

In Roos et al. (2013), they defined conduct disorder using 5-digit ICD-9-CM codes or ICD-10-CA codes from the hospital abstracts data. This can be divided into three subtypes based on onset:


1. adolescent-onset type (ICD-9 = 312.82, ICD-10 = F91.2);
   
2. childhood-onset type (ICD-9 = 312.81, ICD-10 = F91.1); and
   
3. unspecified onset (ICD-9 = 312.89, ICD-10 = F91.9)

Source: American Psychiatric Association, (2013). Alphabetical Listing of DSM-5 Diagnoses and Codes (ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM). In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.

2. Brownell et al (2015, 2018, 2020) and Chartier et al. (2016, 2018)

In Brownell et al. (2015, 2018, 2020) and Chartier et al. (2016, 2018), they defined conduct disorder using the following definition:


• one or more hospitalizations with a diagnosis of conduct disorder (ICD-9-CM code 312 or ICD-10-CA code F91 - all F91 codes except F91.3 (oppositional disorder)), OR
  
• one or more physician visits with a diagnosis of conduct disorder (ICD-9-CM code 312).

Age restrictions

• In Brownell et al. (2015) and Chartier (2016, 2018), the definition is restricted to children age 6 to 19 years of age.
  
• In Brownell et al. (2018), the definition is restricted to children ages 3 and older.

Research Findings

The following lists the MCHP research from deliverables that investigated conduct disorder, describes how it was investigated, and provides a link to the relevant section in the on-line research publication.


• In The Educational Outcomes of Children in Care in Manitoba deliverable by Brownell et al. (2015), they investigated the prevalence of mental disorders, of which conduct disorder was one of the components, for three different cohorts: children ever in care, children who received services from CFS (Child and Family Services), and never in care nor received CFS services. For more information on the results of this research, see the section titled Mental Disorders
  
  
• In The Mental Health of Manitoba's Children deliverable by Chartier et al. (2016), they investigated the prevalence of conduct disorder over two time periods (2005/06-2008/09 and 2009/10-2012/13) by Manitoba Health Region, Winnipeg community area, age groups and sex, and by income quintile. For more information on the results of this research, see the section titled Conduct Disorder
  
  
• In The Mental Illness Among Adult Manitobans deliverable by Chartier et al. (2018), they investigated the prevalence of conduct disorder in a birth cohort of Manitoba residents (born from fiscal years 1980/81 to 1984/85) and followed them into adulthood (until the end of study period in 2014/15). For more information on the results of this research, see the section titled Mental Disorders in Childhood/Adolescence and Adverse Adult Outcomes in the online deliverable.