Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that many children with conduct problems (CP) also show internalising psychopathology (IP).
However, it remains unclear whether the presence of IP serves as a protective or risk factor for the severity and development
of CP. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and associations of comorbid IP in children with CP in a
community and a clinical sample. Data from boys as well as girls with CP in the clinical range were obtained from a community
sample (n = 1,160) and a clinical sample diagnosed with disruptive behaviour disorder (n = 193) from two European countries. In the community sample, information was obtained using the strengths and difficulties
questionnaire, whereas in the clinical sample, the child behaviour checklist was used. Internalising disorders, according
to ICD-10, were also assessed in the clinical sample. For both samples, age, gender, and impact of comorbid IP in the clinical
range (above 90th percentile) for CP were explored. Results revealed that in both samples, participants with CP showed a high
rate of comorbid IP (community sample: 35%; clinical sample: 78%). Participants with comorbid IP were more likely to experience
social problems with peers. In the clinical sample, comorbid IP rated by the parents was more prevalent than internalising
disorders according to ICD-10. Boys with CP and comorbid IP demonstrated a higher severity of externalising behaviour than
boys without comorbid IP in the clinical sample. We concluded that in both samples, we found a high co-occurrence of CP and
IP. Based on the idea that the co-occurrence of IP and CP in children and adolescents may potentially lead to increased antisocial
behaviour, internalising psychopathology should be carefully investigated. Effective strategies and specific risk factors
must be evaluated to treat comorbidity as early as possible in children with CP and IP.
However, it remains unclear whether the presence of IP serves as a protective or risk factor for the severity and development
of CP. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and associations of comorbid IP in children with CP in a
community and a clinical sample. Data from boys as well as girls with CP in the clinical range were obtained from a community
sample (n = 1,160) and a clinical sample diagnosed with disruptive behaviour disorder (n = 193) from two European countries. In the community sample, information was obtained using the strengths and difficulties
questionnaire, whereas in the clinical sample, the child behaviour checklist was used. Internalising disorders, according
to ICD-10, were also assessed in the clinical sample. For both samples, age, gender, and impact of comorbid IP in the clinical
range (above 90th percentile) for CP were explored. Results revealed that in both samples, participants with CP showed a high
rate of comorbid IP (community sample: 35%; clinical sample: 78%). Participants with comorbid IP were more likely to experience
social problems with peers. In the clinical sample, comorbid IP rated by the parents was more prevalent than internalising
disorders according to ICD-10. Boys with CP and comorbid IP demonstrated a higher severity of externalising behaviour than
boys without comorbid IP in the clinical sample. We concluded that in both samples, we found a high co-occurrence of CP and
IP. Based on the idea that the co-occurrence of IP and CP in children and adolescents may potentially lead to increased antisocial
behaviour, internalising psychopathology should be carefully investigated. Effective strategies and specific risk factors
must be evaluated to treat comorbidity as early as possible in children with CP and IP.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Contribution
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-011-0229-6
- Authors
- Georg G. Polier, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Timo D. Vloet, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Kristin R. Laurens, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK
- Sheilagh Hodgins, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827