Basic Research Studies

Gender Differences in Adolescent Drug Abuse

NIDA, Grant # 1 F31 DA05724

G. Dakof

This NIDA-funded study involved an investigation of gender differences in patterns of comorbidity and family functioning in a sample of 95 youth (42 girls and 53 boys) referred for substance abuse treatment. The findings indicate that male and female adolescent substance abusers differ in several clinically meaningful ways. The results from a discriminant function analysis indicate that drug-using girls referred for treatment not only use drugs and engage in externalizing behaviors as extensively as their male counterparts, but also are distinguished by their higher levels of internalizing symptoms and family dysfunction. Specifically, families of substance-abusing girls show more conflict and less cohesion than families of substance-abusing boys. Undoubtedly, these findings indicate that adolescent girls who abuse drugs render a particular portrait of psychological disturbance (Dakof, 2000).   

Comorbidity and Adolescent Drug Abuse

NIDA, Grant # 1 R03 DA13657-01

C. Rowe

This NIDA-funded study examined the heterogeneity of adolescent substance abuse based on level of externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Adolescents participating in the Temple University clinical trial, a largely juvenile justice referred sample, were found not to exhibit internalizing problems without coexisting externalizing problems.  Adolescents with externalizing and internalizing symptoms in the normal range showed a general pattern of more positive family environments, greater acceptance from parents, less parental psychopathology, and low er levels of self reported alcohol use and substance involvement than adolescents with high levels of externalizing symptoms only or high levels of both externalizing and internalizing symptoms.  Adolescents high on both externalizing and internalizing symptoms had parents with significantly greater psychopathology than those with normal range internalizing and externalizing symptoms or high externalizing symptoms only. 

Classifying Adolescent Drug Abusers

C. Rowe

This area of work aims to describe the various clinical presentations of adolescent substance abuse using the developmental psychopathology perspective as a guiding framework.  Typologies have been created based on empirical evidence that symptoms tend to cluster together in groups of adults and adolescents who abuse substances. Results of cluster analyses suggest that adolescent substance abusers can be classified by level of drug use, externalizing and internalizing symptoms, and individual and family risk factors.  Three subtypes emerged: Exclusive Substance Abusers, Mixed Substance Abusers, and Deviant Substance Abusers. The Exclusive group was the most psychologically healthy group and exhibit the least risk for future problems; the Mixed group was characterized by high levels of adolescent and parental psychopathology; and the Deviant group was most involved with substances, deviant peers, and had the highest level of individual and family risk factors.