Addiction and "Generation Me": Narcissistic and Prosocial Behaviors of Adolescents with Substance Dependency Disorder in Comparison to Normative Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 239385
• Journal: Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: April - June 2012 Pages: 163-178
• Author(s): Rebecca R. Carter, B.A.; Shannon M. Johnson, B.A.; Julie J. Exline, Ph.D.; Stephen G. Post, Ph.D.; Maria E. Pagano, Ph.D.
• Date Published: April 2012
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): 13591
• Sponsoring Agency: Case Western Reserve University; US Dept of Health and Human Services; John Templeton Foundation
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined prosocial and narcissistic behaviors in normative adolescents and substance dependent adolescents.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore narcissistic and prosocial behaviors as reported by adolescents with and without substance dependency disorder (SDD). This study employs a quasi-experimental design using adolescents with SDD compared with two normative samples of adolescents. In comparison to normative adolescents, adolescents with SDD were strongly distinguished by overt narcissistic behaviors and less monetary giving. Levels of narcissistic and prosocial behaviors among adolescents with SDD suggest a connection between self-centeredness and addiction. Results also suggest volunteerism as a potential option to counter narcissism in adolescents who are substance dependent. (Published Abstract)