Diagnostic Bias and Conduct Disorder: Improving Culturally Sensitive Diagnosis.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Mizock, Lauren; Harkins, Debra
- Source
- Child & Youth Services. Jul-Sep2011, Vol. 32 Issue 3, p243-253. 11p.
- Subject
- *CONDUCT disorders in adolescence
*YOUTH'S conduct of life
*AFRICAN American youth
*BEHAVIOR disorders
*MENTAL health
*DIAGNOSIS
ADOLESCENT psychology research
- Language
- ISSN
- 0145-935X
Disproportionately high rates of Conduct Disorder are diagnosed in African American and Latino youth of color. Diagnostic bias contributes to overdiagnosis of Conduct Disorder in these adolescents of color. Following a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder, adolescents of color face poorer outcomes than their White counterparts. These negative outcomes occur within mental health and juvenile justice settings. The aims of this article are to: (a) identify the factors that contribute to overdiagnosis of Conduct Disorder in adolescents of color, (b) discuss the associated negative outcomes, and (c) provide recommendations for culturally sensitive diagnosis of adolescents of color with conduct problems in order to reduce overdiagnosis. Clinical and research implications will also be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]