A male adolescent patient is admitted to a mental health facility due to repeated school fights, multiple instances of running away, and theft from family members. He has been diagnosed with a conduct disorder. What history might the nurse expect to find in this patient?

Parents who were very lenient disciplinarians may not necessarily lead to conduct disorder in their children. While lack of discipline can contribute to some behavioral issues, it is not specifically associated with conduct disorder. Harsh parental discipline and physical punishment can contribute to the development of conduct disorder. Children who experience harsh discipline may learn to use aggressive behavior as a way of dealing with conflict and may have difficulty developing pro-social behavior. This can lead to a pattern of violating the rights of others and societal norms, which is characteristic of conduct disorder. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self, and behavior. While some individuals with conduct disorder may also have schizophrenia, the presence of schizophrenia does not necessarily indicate that an individual will develop conduct disorder. Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. It is not typically associated with the aggressive and rule-breaking behavior seen in conduct disorder.