Predicting Substance Abuse in Juvenile Offenders: Attention Deficit Disorder Versus Aggressivity

• NCJ Number: 139686
• Journal: Child Psychiatry and Human Development Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: (Fall 1990) Pages: 49-55
• Author(s): J A Halikas; J Meller; C Morse; M D Lyttle
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The ability to predict juvenile drug use based on attention deficit disorder (ADD) and aggressivity was examined in 114 juvenile offenders from the Milwaukee County (Wisc.) Juvenile Court.

Abstract

the participants included 89 males and 25 females who had been held in secure detention for at least 24 hours. Sixty-six percent were repeat offenders and had been apprehended for break-in, theft, robbery, disorderly conduct, vandalism, or running away. Sixty-six percent were white, and 28 percent were black. ADD, aggressiveness, and drug abuse were assessed according to standard psychiatric diagnostic criteria, based on interviews using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents. Data analysis using logistic regression indicated that aggressiveness, but not a diagnosis of ADD, significantly predicts drug abuse. Therefore, previously reported associations between ADD and juvenile drug use may be confounded by concurrent symptoms of aggression. Tables and 20 references (Author abstract modified)