NCJ Number
215615
Journal
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 45 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2006 Pages: 1042-1053
Date Published
September 2006
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This second of two articles on a study of disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) in two populations of Puerto Rican children (one in Puerto Rico and one in New York City) focuses on the study's findings regarding the prevalence, correlates, and comorbidities (accompanying disorders) of DBDs.
Abstract
The study did not find any significant age or site differences among boys in rates of DBDs; however, DBD rates among girls increased with age in the New York City sample (South Bronx) and decreased with age in the Puerto Rico sample (Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas of San Juan and Caguas). The significant comorbidity for DBDs was attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The most significant correlates of DBDs were lack of parental warmth and approval, poor peer relationships, and parental reports of aggressive behavior during the toddler years. Cultural factors, such as level of acculturation, were not linked to DBDs. The findings indicate that clinical and prevention efforts should focus on interpersonal factors such as parent-child relationships and peer interactions. The representative probability community samples (n=2,491) consisted of 5-13 year-old boys and girls. In interviews with the children and their parents, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV was used, and measures of correlates were used to identify any association between DBDs and potential risk factors for DBD, taking comorbidity into account. Data were collected mostly between 2002 and 2003, but spanned a 3-year period from August 2000 to August 2003. 5 tables and 16 references