Epidemiology of Disruptive Mood Disorder in Adolescents and Comparison of Moral Judgment of Affected and Non-Afflicted Individuals

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a relatively new diagnosis that was introduced for the first time in DSM-5. The most prominent features of this disorder consist of behavioral as well as mood disruptions. Few researches have been done on disruptive mood disorder. The purpose of the current research is the epidemiology of disruptive mood disorder in adolescents and the comparison of moral judgment of affected and non-afflicted individuals.

The research method was descriptive and it was a survey and post-event type.Statistical population included 165 thousand and 555 students from among whom 384 ones were chosen using cluster random sampling based on Morgan formula to investigate epidemiology of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Also, for analyzing moral judgment differencebetween the students with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder and normal students, 45 ones were selected using targeted sampling. For gathering data, emotional reactivity index of Stringaris & et al(2012), moral judgment questionnaire of Rest & et al (1973) and recognition interview based on DSM-5 were used. For analyzing data, descriptive indexes and independent t-test through SPSS 18 software were applied.

Ethical Considerations:

In compiling this research, ethical aspects including preserving the originality of the texts, honesty and fidelity and satisfaction and awareness have been respected.

Descriptive results of the research showedthat the prevalence of syndrome of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder was 1.3 percent. Moral judgment of the students with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder was significantly different from that of the students with no disorder (P<0.05, T=2.06).

The prevalence rate of disruptive mood dysregulation disorderin East Azarbaijan province is inthe middle range compared to other studies conducted abroad. However, attention should be paid to mental health policy-making in adolescents to decrease behavioral problems and prevent future issues.