Conduct Behavior and Outcome Affecting Factors

Abstract

Conduct Behavior and Outcome Affecting Factors

Varuna  Kolkijkovin         MD*

Pisarn   Techakasem       MD*

Department of Psychiatry, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

Objective : To study various factors relating to conduct behaviors in children and adolescents and to identify outcome affecting factors.

Research design : Descriptive study.

Subjects : Children and adolescents received treatment at Child Psychiatric Unit, Department of Psychiatry, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital from June 1994 to May 2001 for conduct behaviors. The study included 75 cases.

Methods : Data were collected from patient's psychiatric files. Data of patients with conduct behaviors were studied in various factors and the relationship of treatment outcome and factors such as number of conduct behaviors, pattern of behaviors, family problem, other diagnoses, use of medication, and relationship if outcome and its affecting factors.

Main outcome measures : Factors relating to conduct behaviors. Outcome affecting factors and outcome.

Results : Most of the patients were in secondary school, male outnumbered female. Age range was between 4 - 20 years. Age of onset averaged at 10.9 years. Mean time before treatment was 1.6 years. Mostly, patients had only 1 conduct symptom. Most frequent behavior was truancy. Patients usually acted alone. Majority (73.3%) had family problem. Most patients (85.3%) had other diagnoses. Factors which correlated with poor outcome included 1) having more than 2 behaviors,2) behaviors acted out alone,3) parental psychopathology and 4) aggression. Having any of these factors correlated with outcome with statistical significant difference (p=0.005) and increase in number of these factors correlated with poor outcome (p=0.008).

Conclusion : Children and adolescents with conduct behaviors usually came from disturbed families and had got other diagnoses. Factors related to outcome with statistical significance include having more than 2 behaviors, behaviors acted out alone, parental psychopathology and aggression.

Key words : conduct behavior, outcome affecting factors, children and adolescents

Vajira Med J 2002 ; 46 : 27 - 33