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. © 2008 Steinkopff Verlag.

psychosocial stressors Parent-child separation Imigration conduct disorder problem behaviors

immigrant Filipino conduct disorder human Life Change Events Ethnic Groups controlled study mental stress Central America child behavior self esteem Cross-Sectional Studies Humans racism Adolescent male Canada Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation social problem female Risk Factors self concept Caribbean Region prevalence peer group Article adult Social Environment Prejudice Philippines child parent relation Child