title: Is emotional dysregulation a risk indicator for auto-aggression behaviors in adolescents with oppositional defiant disorder?
abstract: The Child Behavior Checklist Dysregulation Profile (CBCL-DP), (high scores in Anxious/Depressed, Attention Problems, and Aggressive Behavior subscales), has been related to poor emotional and behavioral self-regulation in children and adolescents. Our aim is to evaluate if it may be associated with auto-aggression in youth with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Method In 72 consecutively referred youths with ODD, emotional dysregulation was assessed with the CBCL-DP, auto-aggression and physical aggression against other persons with the Modified Overt Aggression Scale.
  
  
  
  Regression analysis showed that greater higher CBCL-DP scores were associated to higher levels of auto-aggression, even when controlling for the levels of physical aggression against others and CBCL Total score.
  
  
  
  The small sample size, the cross-sectional design, and the lack of a control group limit the generalization of our findings.
  
  
  
  Referred ODD youths with higher scores of CBCL-DP are more likely to present auto-aggression, besides aggression against others. The CBCL could improve the screening and detection of these high-risk patients.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris, Scientific Institute of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: pietro.muratori@fsm.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muratori
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pisano
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris, Scientific Institute of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Annarita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milone
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris, Scientific Institute of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Adolescents; Aggression; Child Behavior Checklist; Dysregulation profile; Screening; Self-harm behaviors