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Social skills and depression in adolescent substance abusers
V B Van Hasselt1, J A Null, T Kempton
1Center for Psychological Studies, Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314.
Addictive Behaviors
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Adolescent substance abusers in psychiatric settings show impaired social skills and mild to moderate depression. Interventions targeting social skills may benefit some individuals, but more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Adolescent substance abuse is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the interplay between social skills and depression in this population is crucial for effective treatment.
- Inpatient psychiatric settings provide a unique context for studying these issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess social skills and depression levels in hospitalized adolescent substance abusers.
- To examine gender differences in social functioning and depressive symptoms.
- To explore the relationship between social skills and depression in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Adolescent Assertion Expression Scale and Loneliness Scale for social skills assessment.
- Employed the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale for depression evaluation.
- Compared findings with normative data and clinical cut-offs, stratified by gender.
Main Results:
- Female adolescent substance abusers displayed less submissiveness and more aggression compared to norms; males showed reduced assertiveness.
- Both genders exhibited mild to moderate levels of depression.
- Significant correlations were found between various measures of social skills and depression.
Conclusions:
- Further research with detailed social functioning analyses is warranted for adolescent substance abusers.
- Social skills interventions may be beneficial for specific subgroups of these adolescents.
- Longitudinal studies are necessary to clarify the developmental trajectories of social adjustment, mood disorders, and substance abuse onset.