Which behavior is most consistent with a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder in a child?

The behavior most consistent with a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in a child is vindictiveness. ODD is characterized by a pattern of angry, irritable mood, argumentative behavior, and defiant actions towards authority figures. Vindictiveness specifically refers to a tendency to seek revenge or show spiteful behavior, which aligns well with the hallmark behaviors observed in children with ODD. This can manifest as children deliberately annoying others or blaming others for their mistakes—a reflection of their oppositional and defiant nature.

Other behaviors listed, such as depressed mood, distractibility, and violence, may be associated with different conditions or disorders. Depressed mood is more closely linked to mood disorders, while distractibility is commonly seen in attention-related issues, like ADHD. Violence can occur in various contexts and is not specific to ODD, making vindictiveness a more accurate representation of the disorder's characteristics.