Sentence:  It is difficult to say what can be done about them except that we must learn to recognize when it is they , rather than pretexts for them , that are <WSD>causing</WSD> the trouble , and do everything possible to nurture the healthy personalities that will prevent the development of such deficiencies . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally