Conduct disorder: can it be prevented?

This review makes the case for the prevention of conduct disorder and reviews prevention studies in three age groups: under 5, 5-11, and older than 11. The most successful programs for the prevention of antisocial behavior in childhood and adolescence focus on preschool children; they are intensive, have multiple components and target a markedly disadvantaged population. The review concludes with the identification and discussion of issues in the field, including the failure thus far of moving from demonstration projects to widespread dissemination of successful programs.