Overview
The externalizing spectrumi is a psychological framework that groups impulsive and rule-breaking behaviors together because of shared predispositions in vulnerabilities and deficiencies in impulse control. This includes:
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
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Conduct Disorder (CD)
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Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
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Substance use disorder (SUD)
Researchers have found that common sub-factors like “disruptive-dissocial” and “impulsive-hostile” can be found as part of the externalizing spectrum’s dimensions. The Externalizing Spectrum Inventory (ESI) is a psychological assessment based on self-reporting traits tied to callous-aggression, substance use, and lack of inhibition.