NCJ Number
156888
Journal
Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (1994) Pages: 1-22
Date Published
1994
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews issues related to emotional distress and drug use in Latino adolescents, i.e., the comorbidity of emotional distress and drug use, the question of whether emotional distress, is an antecedent or consequence of drug use, and the relationship between emotional distress, drug use, and other high-risk behaviors.
Abstract
Data were collected from a sample of 9th and 10th grade immigrant Mexican students who completed three abbreviated scales of depression, hostility, and anxiety based on the Hopkins Symptom checklist, as well as a history of suicide. The frequency and quantity of alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, inhalant, and other drug use were also assessed. The results showed that most types of drug use, and a high frequency of alcohol and inhalant use, were significantly related to emotional distress and a positive history of suicide attempts. Scores on the hostility scale were most strongly correlated with drug use. Drug use was related to both high depressive symptom level and diagnosed depression. Therefore, emotional distress can serve as either antecedent or consequence of drug use. 3 tables and 70 references