Are Disruptive Kids' Brains Different? New Study Suggests So

Children who exhibit disruptive behaviors, such as lying, stealing, and bullying, often have smaller brain regions responsible for regulating behavior and emotions.

The thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala—all regions involved in behaviour regulation—as well as the outer layer of the brain showed reduced total surface area in children with the disease. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Children who exhibit disruptive behaviors, such as lying, stealing, and bullying, often have smaller brain regions responsible for regulating behavior and emotions. This is according to a recent study by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

What the Research Uncovered

The research, which was published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry, showed that children with conduct disorder, which affects 3% of girls and 7% of boys between the ages of five and ten, have reduced surface areas in 26 out of 34 brain regions. Significant shrinkages were seen in the thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala—three regions of the brain important for controlling behaviour.

The Most Affected

The most notable brain abnormalities were found in children who showed the lowest levels of empathy, guilt, and remorse. This finding emphasises that neurodevelopmental abnormalities may be the cause of disruptive behaviour instead of a simple lack of self-control.

Potential Causes: Adversity and Maltreatment

While the precise reason for these alterations in the brain is yet unknown, scientists speculate that abuse and adversity during childhood may play a role. Underscoring the importance of the findings, lead author Dr. Yidian Gao said, “It provides the most compelling evidence to date that conduct disorder is associated with widespread structural brain differences.”

The Effect of the Pandemic on Child Behaviour

The study is released at a time when worries about increased school violence are growing, partly because of the disruption of social and emotional dynamics brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a BBC study, spitting, swearing, fighting, and chair throwing have increased in frequency among students, with one in five teachers reporting that they had been hit by pupils this year.

Expert Insights on Pandemic Effects

Meanwhile, the epidemic limited children’s opportunities to learn social skills, according to Erica Bowen, a Chartered Coaching Psychologist and Registered Forensic Psychologist. Children’s mental health was probably affected by the dread and isolation they felt during this time, which made them more violent.

“Research indicates a lag in social skills for children who had online vs. face-to-face teaching during the pandemic,” Dr. Bowen was quoted by DailyMail. The trauma sustained during lockdowns combined with this delay in social and emotional development may have an impact on behaviour and lead to an increase in “acting out” occurrences.”

The Bigger Picture

The brain foundations of conduct disorder are clarified by this study, which raises the possibility that children’s disruptive behaviour may be more complicated than previously believed. Knowing how early adversity affects brain development and function could result in more effective interventions and support for affected children and their families.