The Effect of Family Training on Salivary Cortisol in Children with Disruptive Behavior Disorder

Objective: Antisocial, aggressive and delinquent behaviors in adults often begin early in life. Basal cortisol is a valuable biological marker in children with disruptive behavior disorder (DBD). To investigate the association between biological factor (cortisol) and disruptive behaviors, we studied the effect of family training on salivary cortisol level in children with DBD.Methods: Basal salivary cortisol levels were studied in 19 children with DBD, (aged 8 -13 years old) prior and 2 months after the treatment. The disruptive behavior of the child was also assessed by Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), before and 2 months after treatment.Results: Children with lower basal cortisol level had more sever behavioral problems. Surprisingly, this group had a better response to family therapy.Conclusion: Parental training is an effective method for behavioral modification of children with DBD. Salivary cortisol can be considered as a biological marker for the severity of disruptive behavior and response to therapy