B)+Etiology+of+Conduct+Disorder+and+Antisocial+Personality+Disorder

= **__Etiology of Conduct Disorder/Antisocial Personality Disorder__** =

The etiology of conduct disorder involves an interaction of genetic/constitutional, familial and social factors. Children who have conduct disorder may inherit decreased baseline autonomic nervous system activity, requiring greater stimulation to achieve optimal arousal. This hereditary factor may account for the high level of sensation seeking activity associated with conduct disorder. Current research focuses on defining neurotransmitters that play a role in aggression, with serotonin most strongly implicated.

Parental substance abuse, psychiatric illness, marital conflict, and child abuse and neglect all increase the risk of conduct disorder. Exposure to the antisocial behaviour of a caregiver is a particularly important risk factor. Children with conduct disorder, while present in all economic levels, appear to be overrepresented in lower socioeconomic groups. Another common feature appears to be inconsistent parental availability and discipline. As a result, children with conduct disorder do not experience a consistent relationship between their behaviour and its consequences.

This early childhood pattern includes irritability, inconsolability and impaired social responsiveness. Caregivers, particularly those with psychiatric conditions and substance abuse problems, may respond to these children coercively and inconsistently. In addition, these family groups often experience financial distress, which may further complicate the situation. These children are also more susceptible to the rise in peer group influence that typically occurs in later elementary school.