ABSTRACT
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a behavioral condition, occurring predominantly in children and adolescents, that consists of strongly embedded patterns of negative reactions to authority, willful noncompliance, irritable mood, and negative attention-seeking behaviors (Steiner et al., 2007; Stringaris et al., 2010). The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) reports that ODD affects approximately 3.3% of all children and adolescents, with a lifetime prevalence of 12.6%. In addition, problems related to ODD are often severely impairing and co-occur with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, and mood-related conditions (Martel et al., 2012). Because of their disruptive nature and high comorbidity with other conditions, ODD-related problems have a negative effect not only on individuals’ daily functioning but also upon their relationships with peers, family members, teachers, and other caregivers (Greene et al., 2002). Consequently, effective evaluation and determination of appropriate treatment targets for ODD can be challenging and complex clinical endeavors.
