Behavioural and substance use problems in rural and urban delinquent youths.
OBJECTIVE
To examine rates of behavioural and substance use problems in incarcerated young offenders and to explore rural and urban differences in the expression and severity of these problems.


METHODS
We assessed a sample of 68 confined male young offenders (63.3% rural and 35.3% urban), using the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) and the Youth Self-Report (YSR).


RESULTS
Based on clinical cut-offs, data showed high rates of externalizing behavioural problems (75.4%) and substance use problems (95.7%). Urban delinquent youths showed higher rates of attention problems, delinquent behaviours, and externalizing behaviours than those in rural communities.


CONCLUSIONS
Incarcerated young offenders show elevated rates of psychological problems that require treatment. Rural and urban differences in the rates of these problems may reflect differences in community service availability in these areas or in environmental influences on the development of child behavioural problems.
Elgar
Frank J
FJ
School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales. elgarf@cardiff.ac.uk
Knight
John
J
Worrall
Graham J
GJ
Sherman
Gregory
G
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011897:Random Allocation; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*