Prevalence and correlates of conduct disorder and problem behavior in Caribbean and Filipino immigrant Adolescents

This study investigates the prevalence and subtypes of conduct disorder (CD) and behavioral problems among youth in two communities characterized by prolonged parent–child separation upon immigration. CD and problem behaviors were assessed in 252 Caribbean–Canadian and Filipino–Canadian adolescents (12–19-year-old) using the DISC-C, the YSR and the CBCL cross-informant construct. Adolescents reported less problem behaviors than their host country peers, despite immigrant background or parent–child separation. The high adolescent-onset CD rate supports the hypothesis that psychosocial stressors play a role in the emergence of the disorder. Specifically, high levels of perceived racism and low collective self-esteem predicted problem behaviors in these youngsters.