Defining adolescent behaviour disorder: an overview

Historically, theoretical and practical advances in the field of childhood and adolescent behaviour disorder have been limited by the absence of clear operational definitions. Both theoreticians and clinicians have been limited by the prior failure to establish reliable and valid measures. Neither the DSM-IV nor ICD-10 has assisted in the resolution of this previously intractable field problem. Rather, the research focus has continued on a heterogeneous clinical population. Future progress in the field will be impeded until adequate dimensions are established.