A Test of Problem Behavior and Self-Medication Theories in Incarcerated Adolescent Males

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol
• incarcerated juveniles
• mental health
• problem behavior model
• self-medication model
• substance use

The authors acknowledge Warren Hurlbut and Charles Golembeske, PhD, for their support in making this study possible.

Notes

Note. d = effect size; d = .2 is small, d = .5 is medium, d = .8 is large. df = 48. YSR T = Youth Self-Report T-Scores; CTI-C = Cognitive Triad Inventory for Children; NASSQ = Negative Affect Self-Statement Questionnaire.

∗p ≤ .05. ∗∗p ≤ .001.