Family Organization and Parent Attitudes of Children With Conduct Disorder

Abstract

Examined the relations among situational characteristics, maternal cognitive variables, family environment dimensions, and the presence of conduct disorder. Based on clinical diagnosis and parental report, 68 boys between the ages of 9 and 13 and their parents were assigned to a conduct-disorder group, an anxietydisorder group, or a nondisorder group. Membership in the anxiety-disorder group was marginally related to elevated stress levels. After controlling for socioeconomic status (SES), family status, stress level, and parental satisfaction, the conduct-disorder group was found to be lower in family cohesion and activerecreational orientation but higher in conflict than the other groups. The anxietydisorder group scored higher in maternal categorical development orientation than the other two groups.