The nature of the offence is therefore less important in making the diagnosis than the quality of personal relationships. The key differentiating feature is the presence of adequate, lasting friendships with others of roughly the same age. If the dissocial behaviour involves bullying in particular, there may be disturbed relationships with victims or some other children. Again, this does not invalidate the diagnosis provided that the child has some peer group to which he or she is loyal and which involves lasting friendships. Relationships with adults in authority tend to be poor but there may be good relationships with others.
Emotional disturbances are usually minimal.