User:Hannahf15/sandbox

Oppositional Defiant Disorder: causes and diagnosis

Genetics
Research indicates that parents pass on a tendency for externalizing disorders to their children that may be displayed in multiple ways, such as inattention, hyperactivity, or oppositional and conduct problems. Children with ODD often have relatives with conduct problems or antisocial behavior, and family studies suggest that approximately 50% of the variance in conduct problems can be attributed to genetics. ODD also tends to occur in families with a history of ADHD, substance use disorders, or mood disorders, suggesting that a vulnerability to develop ODD may be inherited. (cite) A difficult temperament, impulsivity, and a tendency to seek rewards can also increase the risk of developing ODD. New studies into gene variants have also identified possible gene-environment (G x E) interactions, specifically in the development of conduct problems. A variant of the gene that encodes the neurotransmitter metabolizing enzyme monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA), which relates to neural systems involved in aggression, plays a key role in regulating behavior following threatening events. Brain imaging studies show patterns of arousal in areas of the brain that are associated with aggression in response to emotion-provoking stimuli.

Prenatal factors and birth complications
Many pregnancy and birth problems may be related to the development of conduct problems. Mother’s smoking has been linked to a variety of disruptive behavior disorders, with some evidence for a link between mother’s smoking and ODD. Nominal evidence has also linked perinatal HIV infection to an increased risk for ODD. Additionally, maternal depression has been associated with an increased risk for developing ODD.

Social-cognitive factors
As many as 40 percent of boys and 25 percent of girls with persistent conduct problems display significant social-cognitive impairments. One common social-cognitive impairment seen in children with ODD is hostile attribution bias, which is a tendency to interpret others’ neutral behavior as threatening or hostile and respond accordingly. Children with ODD may also show problems with excessive emotional reactivity; when confronted with a stressor, they may display an intense, out of proportion negative reaction and may take a long time to soothe. Additionally, research suggests a general link between early childhood temperament and the later development of disruptive behavior disorders, such as ODD, but has not found a temperament to be predictive of such disorders.