A Test of Problem Behavior and Self-Medication Theories in Incarcerated Adolescent Males.
The purpose of this study is to examine the problem behavior and self-medication models of alcohol abuse in incarcerated male adolescents. Male adolescents (N = 56) incarcerated in a juvenile correction facility were administered a battery of psychological measures. Approximately 84% of adolescents with clinically significant alcohol-related problems prior to incarceration indicated use of alcohol for purposes of self-medication and 73% indicated that their alcohol use was associated with aggressive and rebellious behavior. Further, adolescents with clinically significant alcohol-related problems prior to incarceration reported higher levels of affective symptoms, mood-related cognitive distortion, and less use of social support during incarceration than adolescents without clinically significant alcohol-related problems. They also reported more symptoms associated with oppositional defiant but not conduct disorder. For the majority of incarcerated male adolescents in this sample, alcohol-related problems appeared to be associated with both self-medication and problem behavior. Incarcerated adolescents with a history of alcohol-related problems may require skills training in addition to substance abuse services to address affective symptoms and coping skill deficits.
Brown Medical School, Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Providence, RI; Brown University Center for Alcohol & Addiction Studies, Providence, RI; and Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center, Providence, RI.
Christianne
C
Esposito-Smythers
Joseph V
JV
Penn
L A R
LA
Stein
Molly
M
Lacher-Katz
Anthony
A
Spirito