EC Psychology and Psychiatry

The study examines the prevalence of conduct disorder in Zambia, particularly among adolescent offenders. The International Classification Systems provide definitions of various diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder, which includes aggression, violent behavior, destruction of property, theft, deceitfulness, and/or a serious violation of rules, social norms and laws. The prevalence of conduct disorder and delinquency peaks in mid-to-late adolescence.

The study investigated neuropsychological functioning in adolescents with conduct disorder at Katombora Reformatory School, Kamwala Remand Prison, and community controls. The research found that conduct disorder subjects displayed significant deficits in cognitive abilities, set shifting and inhibition, planning, and verbal memory and language functioning. Furthermore, the group with conduct disorder displayed noteworthy impairments relative to controls in cognitive ability, set shifting, verbal memory–language functioning, and visuospatial tasks respectively.

The study revealed similar findings from studies conducted in other countries among the same populations. Based on the findings, it is imperative that correctional facilities effectively plan and engage in understanding neuropsychological functioning in adolescents with conduct disorder and employ rehabilitation and recovery, treatment and management, healthcare and educational interventional strategies and correctional approaches regarding generators of misconduct, delinquency, and aggression into criminal justice policies and system-wide policy changes such as beginning at trial, bail conditions, pre-trial detention, sentencing, and release or pardon decisions, and in addressing various triggers (causal and exacerbating) in various social environments that can contribute to violence and psychopathy in susceptible individuals.

Keywords: Adolescence; Conduct Disorder; Neuropsychological Functioning; Psychopathy; Violence

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