Juvenile delinquent drug abuse in females: a clinical study

Thirty drug taking and thirty non-drug taking delinquent adolescent girls were assessed using a psychiatric interview technique. Differences were observed between the groups on an aggressive-passive-withdrawn dimension. Drug takers were found to be passive and withdrawn whilst control group subjects were found to be more aggressive. These factors were identified within the modal personality of the delinquent girl. The results supported M.M.P.I. studies of the drug taking personality and were seen as an indication of aetiology and its implications for assessment and treatment.