ABSTRACT
Behavior and conduct problems are the most commonly referred issues for mental health treatment due to disruption within family and school contexts. This chapter addresses adolescent disruptive behavior problems and juvenile delinquency. Research is reviewed on gender differences and the cultural context of adolescents who engage in dangerous and risky behaviors. This chapter focuses on diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). We discuss the negative impact of the school-to-prison pipeline and juvenile justice system on the lived experiences of ethnic minority youth in the U.S. Information is provided about symptom presentation, prevalence, etiology, prevention, and approaches to intervention for delinquent behaviors. The chapter includes a vignette, reflective questions, suggestions for working with adolescents, and supplemental resources to promote critical thinking and multicultural competence.
