Is Mentalization-based Therapy More Effective Than Treatment-as-usual for Adolescents With Dissocial Disorders?

The study includes adolescents between the ages 12 to 19 of any gender who have been diagnosed with Oppositional defiant or Conduct-dissocial disorder (serious problems with following rules or criminal behavior). The diagnosis is the primary outcome, which is assessed based on a diagnostic interview. Secondary outcomes include antisocial behavior, quality of life, symptom burden, and personality functioning (measured through self-report questionnaires), as well as aggressive behavior (measured through interview). During the study, there will be monthly process assessments. In these assessments, participants will be asked questions about mentalizing, emotion regulation, therapy experience, antisocial behavior, and how much they trust others. These variables are considered mediators of changes in outcome. Participants will also be interviewed regarding personality functioning to investigate whether dissocial disorders are related to personality disorders.