Term: Externalizing Disorders

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2016-11-21

Definition:

In psychology, the term "externalizing" refers to a grouping of problems that are manifested in a child's outward behaviour and reflect the child acting negatively on the external environment (Liu, 2004). In Chartier et al. (2016), externalizing disorders include children (aged 6-19) who were diagnosed with at least one of the following three mental disorders: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, and substance use disorder. In the group of children aged 6-12, externalizing disorders includes only ADHD and conduct disorder.

For more detailed information on the three mental disorders identified above, please click on one of the related concepts listed below.

For more information on the research findings from Chartier et al. (2016) related to externalizing disorders, please see the section titled Externalizing Disorders in the on-line report. These findings include illustrations and discussion on prevalence information by Health Region, Winnipeg Community Area, sex and age, and income quintile.

Related concepts 

• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Conduct Disorder
• Mental Health Indicators for Children
• Substance Use Disorders / Substance Abuse - Measuring Prevalence

Related terms 

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) / Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Conduct Disorder
• Substance Use Disorders / Substance Abuse

References 

• Chartier M, Brownell M, MacWilliam L, Valdivia J, Nie Y, Ekuma O, Burchill C, Hu M, Rajotte L, Kulbaba C. The Mental Health of Manitoba's Children. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2016. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Liu J. Childhood externalizing behavior: Theory and implications. J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs 2004;17(3):93-103.(View)