Treatment of conduct disordered children and adolescents in a clinical setting:: How effective are they?

Treatment of conduct disordered children and adolescents in a clinical setting. How effective are they? Objective: Anti-social behavior in childhood and adolescence represents a frequent behavior disorder in this age group and its prognosis is predominantly unfavourable. The purpose of this study was to analyze the out-come and predictors of outpatients and inpatients with conduct disorders and internalizing disorders. Methods: We compared a 10 year follow-up history of in- and outpatients with conduct disorders and internalizing disorders. The sample of patients with conduct disorders was divided into three groups (<<1>>: F90.1; <<E>>: F91.2, F92; <<D>>: F91.1, F91.3). The outcome was defined as an improvement of psychosocial functioning (SGKJ). Statistical analysis consisted of Fisher exact test and logistical regression. Results: Our findings showed the best results in patients with the ICD 10 diagnosis F90.1. Inpatient treatment was superior to outpatient treatment. Cooperation of parents and children, severeness of disease, psychosocial risk factors and pharmacotherapy were found to be the most important predictors. Conclusions: Effectiveness of an outpatient treatment of children and adolescents with conduct disorders can be increased by training of parents, home treatment or pharmacotherapy.