Factors related to the self-concept of institutionalized, white, male, adolescent drug abusers

The main purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between selected drug-related, familial, and demographic variables and the self-concepts of institutionalized, white, male, adolescent drug abusers in a large midwestern city. In addition, the self-concepts of the subjects in the study were compared with the self-concepts of Pulliam et al.'s (1971) non-drug using adolescent sample. The TSCS, a family questionnaire, an index of socioeconomic status, and an interview were used to collect data from 140 subjects. The mean self-concept score of this sample was significantly lower than the mean self-concept score of Pulliam et al.'s sample. Results of a stepwise multiple regression yielded four statistically significant predictors of the subjects' self-concepts: both mother/adolescent relationship and father/adolescent relationship when the adolescent was between age thirteen and his present age; the number of the subject's prior status offenses and the subject's preference for non-depressant drugs. These variables were positively correlated with the subjects' self-concepts. This study demonstrated the importance of differentiating among institutionalized adolescents' self-concepts based on type of drug abused, prior criminal record, and parent/adolescent relationships.