A Multilevel Investigation of Conduct Problems in Adolescents: Insights from Neural, Cognitive, and Environmental Perspectives

Introduction Conduct problems (CP) in adolescents are associated not only with long-term personality and social development challenges, but also impose significant burdens on families, schools, and communities. Objectives While numerous risk factors for CP have been identified in prior research, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying deficit mechanisms remains incomplete. Methods Utilizing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study (N = 11,875), the largest longitudinal investigation of brain development and child health in the United States, we conducted a systematic analysis of the neural, cognitive, and environmental features linked to CP. The findings were further tested for generalizability across diverse cross-cultural datasets. Results Our results propose a novel framework that accounts for cognitive deficits associated with CP, while also highlighting the interactions between biological and environmental factors in the development and potential remission of CP in adolescents. Conclusions These insights provide valuable directions for future research and intervention strategies targeting adolescent conduct problems. Disclosure of Interest None Declared