Prevalence and correlates of conduct disorder and problem behavior in Caribbean and Filipino immigrant adolescents

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008 Aug;17(5):264-73. doi: 10.1007/s00787-007-0640-1. Epub 2008 Apr 21.

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence and subtypes of conduct disorder (CD) and behavioral problems among youth in two communities characterized by prolonged parent-child separation upon immigration. CD and problem behaviors were assessed in 252 Caribbean-Canadian and Filipino-Canadian adolescents (12-19-year-old) using the DISC-C, the YSR and the CBCL cross-informant construct. Adolescents reported less problem behaviors than their host country peers, despite immigrant background or parent-child separation. The high adolescent-onset CD rate supports the hypothesis that psychosocial stressors play a role in the emergence of the disorder. Specifically, high levels of perceived racism and low collective self-esteem predicted problem behaviors in these youngsters.

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Adolescent
  • Canada
  • Caribbean Region / ethnology
  • Child
  • Conduct Disorder / diagnosis
  • Conduct Disorder / epidemiology
  • Conduct Disorder / ethnology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / psychology
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data*
  • Ethnicity / psychology
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Male
  • Peer Group
  • Philippines / ethnology
  • Prejudice
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept
  • Social Environment