Evidence-Based Psychotherapy for Disruptive Behavior Disorders - Evidence-Based Psychotherapy in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Sep 30, 2026

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Disruptive behavior disorder, covering oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder, is a frequent externalizing condition in childhood and adolescence. This review identifies evidence-based psychotherapies for DBD and summarizes their empirical bases and key characteristics. Randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews were searched in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, with focus on major guidelines from NICE, APA, and AHRQ. Six interventions showed the strongest support, centered on parent-focused behavioral mechanisms. It discusses implications for treatment resistance and legal considerations, highlights gaps in Korea, and proposes future dissemination, validation, follow-up, and digital/telehealth adaptation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Disruptive behavior disorder overview

Prevalence and developmental progression

Current management in Korea

Evidence-based psychotherapy evidence

Search strategy and guideline sources

Strongest-supported interventions

Behavioral mechanisms and clinical implications

Future directions

SPECIAL ARTICLE: Evidence-Based Psychotherapy in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2026;37(1):22-32 [https://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.250060](https://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.250060) eISSN 2233-9183 Evidence-Based Psychotherapy for Disruptive Behavior Disorders June Sung Park1 and Jae Hyun Yoo2 1Dodream Clinic, Bucheon, Korea 2Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea Disruptive behavior disorder (DBD), which includes oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder, is among the most common externalizing disorders in childhood and adolescence. This review aimed to identify evidence-based psychotherapies for DBD and summarize their empirical foundations and characteristics. We searched for randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, focusing on major evidence-based guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), American Psychological Association (APA), and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Six interventions demonstrated the strongest empirical support: Incredible Years, Triple P, Parent–Child Interaction Therapy, Parent Management Training–Oregon Model, Multisystemic Therapy, and Treatment Foster Care–Oregon Model. These programs share a behavioral foundation that emphasizes parent-centered interventions as the core therapeutic mechanism. Considering treatment resistance and legal implications, multisystemic and community-based approaches are recommended for adolescents with severe antisocial behavior. In Korea, existing studies have primarily applied cognitive-behavioral, child-focused, and group interventions with limited fidelity assessments and few parent-focused trials. Future priorities include disseminating and validating parent-based behavioral therapies, establishing longterm follow-up systems, and adapting digital or telehealth platforms to enhance accessibility. Strengthening evidence-based, scalable behavioral interventions is crucial for improving the outcomes of Korean youths with DBD. Keywords: Disruptive behavior disorder; Behavior therapy; Parent-child relations; Evidence-based practice; Adolescent behavior. Received: October 25, 2025 / Revised: December 4, 2025 / Accepted: December 10, 2025 Address for correspondence: Jae Hyun Yoo, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Korea Tel: +82-2-2258-6773, Fax: +82-2-594-3870, E-mail: [jayyoo84@gmail.com](jayyoo84@gmail.com) INTRODUCTION Disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) is an umbrella term for both oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). DBD is a common mental health condition among children and adolescents. The prevalence rate of ODD in the United States is reported to be 3.3%, and that ofCD is 4%[1]. According to the 2022 National Mental Health Survey of Children and Adolescents in Korea, the prevalence rate of DBD was 2. 5% in children and 6.2% in adolescents (average: 4.4% in children and adolescents) [2]. ODD is characterized by emotional symptoms, such as defiance and anger, while CD is distinguished by more severe antisocial behavior. It is estimated that 30% of children diagnosed with ODD progress to CD. Similarly, 40% of adolescents diagnosed with CD are likely to develop antisocial personality disorder during adulthood [3]. Once diagnosed with CD, there is a 50% This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. to 90% chance the diagnosis will persist beyond four years. The likelihood

FAQs

Which disorders are included under disruptive behavior disorder (DBD)?

DBD includes oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). It is an umbrella term describing externalizing behavioral problems in children and adolescents.

How did the authors identify evidence-based psychotherapies for DBD?

The review searched randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, emphasizing major evidence-based guidelines from NICE, APA, and AHRQ.

What interventions had the strongest empirical support?

The strongest-supported interventions were Incredible Years, Triple P, Parent–Child Interaction Therapy, Parent Management Training–Oregon Model, Multisystemic Therapy, and Treatment Foster Care–Oregon Model.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Mia