Avoidance of responsibility in conduct disordered adolescents

The association between conduct disorder (CD) and the construct of avoidance of responsibility was investigated in a sample of junior and senior high school-aged adolescents. Each adolescents CD symptomatology was determined using a self-report checklist keyed to DSM-IV symptoms. In addition, participants completed an avoidance of responsibility measure which assessed strategies adolescents utilize to avoid responsibility for their inappropriate behaviors. Participants also completed the Nowicki–Strickland Locus of Control Scale. Based on analysis of the avoidance of responsibility measure the Powell Avoidance of Responsibility Scale (PARS) was constructed. The results indicated that adolescents identified as CD endorsed significantly more avoidance of responsibility strategies and significantly more external locus of control responses compared to non-CD participants. The PARS accounted for 32% of the variance in the number of CD symptoms. Implications for the treatment and prevention of CD are discussed.