Behavioral, Emotional, and Psychological Outcomes Among Adolescents in a Drug Treatment Program:

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare indices of behavioral, emotional, and psychological problems of maltreated and non-maltreated adolescents in a drug treatment program. Data were collected over a seven year period from intake interviews and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scores of 522 adolescent patients at a drug treatment program. Maltreatment was self-reported by 43% of the females and 17% of the males. Results indicated that females had significantly more emotional and psychological problems than did males and that maltreated females had significantly higher levels of problems in these areas than any other group. Both maltreated males and females had significantly higher levels of behavioral problems than did their non-maltreated peers. The unique needs of maltreated adolescents in drug treatment programs are discussed.