ABSTRACT
Disruptive behaviours frequently occur in disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, where others are features that are more likely to be based in adolescent coping mechanisms. The nature of the difficulties, and their underlying origins, are important to recognise as problems early in childhood appear to predict long-term and enduring behavioural problems well into adulthood. Mutual satisfaction and enjoyment must exist between mother and infant if a positive and strong attachment capacity is to be established. It is also worthy of note that father–child attachments are now beginning to prompt more interest since they appear to have the same impact as mother-child attachments. Interventions that focus upon behavioural parent training have been shown to be effective in reducing childhood behaviour problems, with about two thirds showing an improvement that lasted at least a year. Programmes that include sessions on parental support and stress management are more effective than standard management focused programmes.
