Socio-demographic, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Conduct Disorder Symptoms Among In-School Adolescents in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Conduct disorder symptoms are a major behavioural and public health concern during adolescence, often associated with aggression, rule-breaking behaviours, and poor psychosocial outcomes. This study examined the contribution of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and selected sociodemographic factors to conduct disorder symptoms among in-school adolescents in Lagos State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed with 1,712 adolescents aged 12–19 years recruited from public and private secondary schools across four educational districts. Participants completed the Redeemer's University Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (RUACES) and the Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Scales (CODDS). Data were analysed using multiple linear regression and independent-samples t-tests. ACEs significantly predicted conduct disorder symptoms. Sex, school type, age, family type, and family size also showed significant associations. Male adolescents reported higher conduct disorder symptoms than females, whereas private-school students scored higher than public-school students. These findings highlight the importance of trauma-informed prevention, early behavioural screening, and school-based mental health interventions to reduce conduct disorder symptoms among adolescents.