What is a primary treatment for conduct disorder?

The correct answer is Multisystemic Treatment, which is an intensive, family- and community-based treatment program designed for adolescents with conduct disorder. This approach recognizes that conduct disorder often arises from complex interactions among multiple systems, including family, school, and peer groups. It involves various strategies that engage not only the child but also their family and other involved parties to foster positive changes and reduce instances of antisocial behavior.

Multisystemic Treatment is effective because it addresses the environmental and systemic factors contributing to the conduct disorder. It emphasizes the importance of family dynamics and social support, providing caregivers with the tools necessary to support their child. This comprehensive approach has shown higher success rates in reducing disruptive behavior than approaches focusing exclusively on the individual.

For instance, while Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be effective for various mental health issues by changing unhelpful cognitive patterns, it may not address the broader contextual factors impacting a young person with conduct disorder. Medication management may help alleviate symptoms but typically does not address the underlying behavioral patterns related to conduct disorder, and psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on unconscious processes and past experiences, may not provide the concrete coping strategies and support that are essential when dealing with the immediate behaviors associated with conduct disorder.