The Cost of Antisocial Behaviour in Younger Children

Abstract

Antisocial behaviour (conduct disorder) is the commonest psychiatric problem in childhood. An interview was developed to measure the direct and indirect costs arising from antisocial behaviour over a range of domains, including behaviours inside and outside the home. Data were collected for a pilot sample of 10 children aged 4–10 years who had been referred to child and adolescent mental health services. The average cost across the 10 families was £15,382 a year, ranging from £5411 to £40,896 per family. The greatest cost fell on the families themselves (average nearly £5000 per year) and the education authority (average nearly £5000 per year); and there were significant costs for the health service, social services and the Benefits Agency.