The unspecified residual category of the DSM-5: The challenges of a catch-all diagnosis

The past over-usage of the DSM-IV category of 'not otherwise specified' (NOS) resulted in it becoming a vague, catch-all label. The new nomenclature in the DSM-5 is Unspecified Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorder (UDICCD), however, there are little to no data available on the new nomenclature. The current article is aimed at examining the practical usage of the UDICCD diagnosis by mental health practitioners in the juvenile justice system (JJS). Among the findings, three were most notable. First, girls were more likely than boys to receive a specified diagnosis over UDICCD, in particular ODD. Second, two latent classes were identified within this sample based on various behavior and demographic risk correlates of disruptive behavior disorders. Third, animal cruelty, familial support, and alcohol/drug use predicted whether a youth would receive a UDICCD diagnosis. Results and implications are discussed.
Author(s): Julia D. Kovalenko [sup.1] , Paulina A. Kulesz [sup.1] , Sascha Hein [sup.2] , Diana Quintana [sup.3] , Matthew Shelton [sup.3] , Elena L. Grigorenko [sup.1] [sup.4] [sup.5] [sup.6] [...]