Substance abuse and criminal recidivism: a prospective study of adolescents.
Studies of substance abuse among delinquents have shown mixed results on criminal recidivism. The present study evaluates personality traits associated with substance abuse and recidivism among delinquent boys, and prospectively determines the extent to which these factors are predictive of criminal recidivism. 134 incarcerated boys (x = 15.9 +/- 1.1) completed the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory and the Substance Abuse Screening Inventory. Youth were prospectively followed for up to 4.5 years following release. Among incarcerated delinquents, personality traits are predictive of a positive substance abuse screen and recidivism. A trend indicating a possible interaction between personality and treatment is observed. If these findings are replicated, personality traits may play a role in predicting substance abuse as well as individual delinquent responses to treatment.
Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Box 66, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA.
J J
JJ
Wilson
N
N
Rojas
R
R
Haapanen
E
E
Duxbury
H
H
Steiner
D000293:Adolescent; D002140:California; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome