DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR DISORDERS AND THE AVOIDANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY

We investigated the association between 'Avoidance of Responsibility' and Disruptive Behavior Disorder symptoms (Conduct Disorder and Opposi tional Defiant Disorder) in a sample of college students. Each subject 's Disruptive Behavior Disorder symptomatology was determined using a self-report symptom checklist. In addition, subjects completed the Avo idance of Responsibility Scale which assesses the different strategies individuals utilize to avoid responsibility for their inappropriate b ehaviors. Results indicated that the subjects with relatively more Dis ruptive Behavior Disorder symptoms scored significantly higher on the Avoidance of Responsibility Scale compared to those with relatively fe w symptoms. It was also found that four specific responsibility avoidi ng strategies accounted for 24% of the variance in Disruptive Behavior Disorder symptoms: having an immoral attitude (e.g. lying); attributi ng inappropriate behavior to past victimization; showing no remorse fo r inappropriate behavior; and claiming ignorance about the impact of t he inappropriate behavior. Implications for the treatment and preventi on of Disruptive Behavior Disorders are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier S cience Ltd.