Dimensions of oppositional defiant disorder as predictors of depression and conduct disorder in preadolescent girls.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) rather than conduct disorder (CD) may explain the comorbidity between behavioral disorders and depression; to test whether distinct affective and behavioral dimensions can be discerned within the symptoms of ODD; and to determine whether an affective dimension of ODD symptoms is specifically predictive of later depression.


METHODS
The dimensions of ODD and their prediction to later CD and depression were examined in a community sample of 2,451 girls between the ages of 5 and 8 years, followed up annually over a 5-year period, using parent, child, and teacher questionnaire ratings of the severity of symptoms of psychopathology.


RESULTS
Dimensions of negative affect, oppositional behavior, and antagonistic behavior were found within ODD symptoms. Negative affect predicted later depression. Oppositional and antagonistic behavior predicted CD overall, and for Caucasian girls, negative affect also predicted later CD. CD was not predictive of later depression, controlling for comorbid conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
ODD plays a key role in the early development of psychopathology. It is central in the comorbidity between internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, which may be caused by a dimension of negative affective symptoms within ODD. How this dimension relates to later CD appears to vary by race.
Burke
Jeffrey D
JD
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. burkejd@upmc.edu
Hipwell
Alison E
AE
Loeber
Rolf
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010553:Personality Development; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires