Conduct Disorder (CD) in adolescents: Investigating the role of social competence and weakness in emotion regulation

The aim of this study was to determine the role of social competence and Weakness in emotion regulation in anticipating adolescents Conduct disorder.

The statistical population included all male high school students in Kermanshah in the academic in 2019-2020, which was 234 students who obtained the highest scores in the pediatric symptoms questionnaire (parent form) (Gadow & Sprafkin, 2007) and They had the most symptoms of conduct disorder, were selected as a sample group based on multi-stage cluster sampling method, and participants completed the social competency questionnaire (Felner & elt, 1990) and difficult emotion regulation questionnaire (Gratz & Roemer,2004). Data were analyzed by,multiple regression by stepwise method.

Resulte:

 The results showed that the linear relationship between the behavior disorder variable and the predictor components was statistically significant (P<0.001). This means that social competence and emotion self-regulation are able to predict behavioral disorders in adolescents. The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that among the components of social competence; respectively the components of cognitive abilities and skills, behavioral skills and emotional competencies as well as among the components of emotion self-regulation; lack of emotional clarity, lack of emotional awareness, difficulty in controlling impulses, and limited access to emotional strategies, respectively, are the strongest variables that can be used to predict conduct disorder.

These findings have important implications for the prevention, treatment, and counseling services for children and adolescents with symptoms of conduct disorder and it could be useful with plans and programs to decreases the symptoms of conduct disorder.