Related Experiment Videos
Coping capacity in female adolescent substance abusers
A C Mezzich1, R E Tarter, L Kirisci
1University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, PA 15213, USA.
Addictive Behaviors
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Female adolescents with substance use disorders show similar coping deficits as those with depression or conduct disorder, but not normal controls. These coping issues are linked to comorbid conditions, not solely drug abuse.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Psychoactive Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a significant concern in female adolescents.
- Comorbid psychopathology is common in adolescents with SUD.
- Coping capacity may be impaired in adolescents with SUD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate coping capacity in female adolescents diagnosed with Psychoactive Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
- To compare coping in adolescents with SUD to those with depression, conduct disorder, and normal controls.
- To determine if coping deficits are specific to SUD or associated with comorbid conditions.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis using DSM-III-R criteria for Psychoactive Substance Use Disorder.
- Assessment of coping measures in adolescent groups.
- Comparison of coping capacity across SUD, depression, conduct disorder, and control groups.
Main Results:
- Female adolescents with SUD were not distinguishable from those with depression or conduct disorder on coping measures.
- Adolescents with SUD were differentiable from normal controls in coping capacity.
- Age of onset, time to diagnosis, and substance use severity did not correlate with coping capacity.
Conclusions:
- Deficient coping in female adolescents with SUD is not specific to drug abuse.
- Impaired coping is likely concomitant with comorbid psychopathology in this population.
- Findings highlight the interconnectedness of SUD and other mental health conditions in adolescent females.