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Anger expression, coping, and substance use in adolescent offenders
Afsoon Eftekhari1, Aaron P Turner, Mary E Larimer
1VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA.
Addictive Behaviors
|June 29, 2004
Summary
Adolescent offenders who express anger outwardly or use avoidant coping strategies face higher risks of substance use and related problems. These behaviors are independent risk factors for alcohol and marijuana use consequences.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Addiction Science
Background:
- Adolescent substance use is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding risk factors for substance use in incarcerated youth is crucial for intervention.
- Anger expression and coping mechanisms are implicated in adolescent behavioral issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between anger expression (outward and inward) and avoidant coping with substance use and use-related consequences.
- To examine these associations in a sample of incarcerated adolescents.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 270 incarcerated adolescents.
- Data were collected on anger expression, avoidant coping, substance use (alcohol and marijuana), and use-related consequences.
Main Results:
- Outwardly expressed anger showed significant associations with alcohol and marijuana use and their consequences.
- Avoidant coping was significantly linked to all measured outcome variables.
- No significant interactions were found between anger expression and avoidant coping.
Conclusions:
- Both anger expression and avoidant coping act as independent risk factors for substance use and related consequences in adolescent offenders.
- These findings highlight the importance of addressing anger management and coping skills in adolescent correctional settings.
- Interventions targeting these factors may reduce substance use and associated harms in this vulnerable population.