Depression, negative self-image, and suicidal attempts as effects of substance use and substance dependence

The main purpose of this study was to compare, separately by gender, the degree to which cocaine use/abuse, marijuana use/ abuse, and alcohol use/abuse each predict to developing either: a state of depression, or a negative self-image, or a negative personal outlook or for making a suicidal attempt. The study sample of 431 inner-city, African-American subjects, derived from the National Collaborative Perinatal Project (NCPP), were retrieved for the fourth time, at average age 37.

(1) For the female sample, there were more predictions and relatively stronger predictions from the use/abuse of and from the dependence on illicit drugs, to a subsequent negative self-image and to a negative personal outlook. For the male sample, there were relatively more predictions to making suicide attempts. (2) Of the three types of substances, cocaine use/abuse predicted to the greatest number of negative outcomes; and alcohol use/abuse predicted to no negative outcomes.