The High Costs of Aggression: Public Expenditures Resulting From Conduct Disorder
E. Michael Foster, PhD,
Damon E. Jones, PhD and
and The Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group
At the time of the study, E. Michael Foster was with the Methodology Center at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, and the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Damon Jones is with the Methodology Center at Pennsylvania State University.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Edward Michael Foster, 116 Henderson Bldg, University Park, PA 16802-6500 (e-mail: foster{at}pop.psu.edu).
Objectives. We explored the economic implications of conductdisorder (CD) among adolescents in 4 poor communities in theUnited States. We examined a range of expenditures related tothis disorder across multiple public sectors, including mentalhealth, general health, school, and juvenile justice.
Methods. We used self- and parental-report data to estimateexpenditures during a 7-year period in late adolescence of asample of youths. We contrasted expenditures for youths withCD and youths with oppositional defiant disorder, elevated symptoms(no CD diagnosis), and all others. Diagnosis was determinedwith a structured assessment.
Results. Additional public costs per child related to CD exceeded$70000 over a 7-year period.
Conclusions. Public expenditures on youths with CD are substantiallylarger than for youths with closely related conditions, reflectingthe importance of prevention and early treatment for the disorder.
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