NCJ Number
118163
Journal
Journal of Adolescent Research Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1989) Pages: 385-399
Date Published
1989
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The sexual abuse histories of adolescent males and females, in chemical dependency treatment programs, were examined for relationships to signs of psychosocial dysfunction.
Abstract
Chemical Abuse Treatment Outcome Registries (CATOR) collected and analyzed data on adolescents admitted to nine private centers between 1984 and 1986, including 210 self-reported female victims, 234 female nonvictims, 81 male victims, and 890 male nonvictims. Both male and female victims abused and used for self-medication a wider range of drugs than did their nonvictim counterparts. More victims were troubled by sleep and sexual problems, nervousness, and suicidal thoughts (twice as many victims as nonvictims had attempted suicide). More victims had been arrested and suffered serious legal consequences than nonvictims. The authors suggest current drug prevention programs need to be reevaluated and targeted toward young people at highest risk; the findings will also impact on the treatment of adolescents in clinical and correctional settings. 4 tables, 32 references. (Author abstract modified)