title: Conduct symptoms and emotion recognition in adolescent boys with externalization problems.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In adults with antisocial personality disorder, marked alterations in the recognition of facial affect were described. Less consistent data are available on the emotion recognition in adolescents with externalization problems. The aim of the present study was to assess the relation between the recognition of emotions and conduct symptoms in adolescent boys with externalization problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adolescent boys with externalization problems referred to Vadaskert Child Psychiatry Hospital participated in the study after informed consent (N = 114, 11-17 years, mean = 13.4). The conduct problems scale of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (parent and self-report) was used. The performance in a facial emotion recognition test was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Conduct problems score (parent and self-report) was inversely correlated with the overall emotion recognition. In the self-report, conduct problems score was inversely correlated with the recognition of anger, fear, and sadness. Adolescents with high conduct problems scores were significantly worse in the recognition of fear, sadness, and overall recognition than adolescents with low conduct scores, irrespective of age and IQ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that impaired emotion recognition is dimensionally related to conduct problems and might have importance in the development of antisocial behavior.
authors.affiliation: Vadaskert Child Psychiatry Hospital, 5 Lipotmezei Street, Budapest 1021, Hungary ; School of Ph.D. Studies, Semmelweis University, 26 Ulloi Street, Budapest 1085, Hungary.
authors.forename: Nikoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aspan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vida
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gadoros
authors.forename: Jozsef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halasz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000300:Adoption; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D004243:Divorce; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D005239:Fear; D005581:Foster Home Care; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D010290:Parents; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011385:Projection; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D057566:Self Report; D013383:Suburban Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population