Disruptive behavior disorders and the avoidance of responsibility

We investigated the association between ‘Avoidance of Responsibility’ and Disruptive Behavior Disorder symptoms (Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder) in a sample of college students. Each subjectʹs Disruptive Behavior Disorder symptomatology was determined using a self-report symptom checklist. In addition, subjects completed the Avoidance of Responsibility Scale which assesses the different strategies individuals utilize to avoid responsibility for their inappropriate behaviors. Results indicated that the subjects with relatively more Disruptive Behavior Disorder symptoms scored significantly higher on the Avoidance of Responsibility Scale compared to those with relatively few symptoms. It was also found that four specific responsibility avoiding strategies accounted for 24% of the variance in Disruptive Behavior Disorder symptoms: having an immoral attitude (e.g. lying); attributing inappropriate behavior to past victimization; showing no remorse for inappropriate behavior; and claiming ignorance about the impact of the inappropriate behavior. Implications for the treatment and prevention of Disruptive Behavior Disorders are discussed.