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Examining Gender Differences in Adolescent Substance Abuse Behavior: Comparisons and Implications for Treatment

NCJ Number
205535
Journal
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: 2004 Pages: 53-70
Author(s)
Sumin Hsieh; C. David Hollister
Date Published
2004
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study examined gender differences in adolescent substance abuse and treatment effectiveness, together with the associated relationships with pretreatment, during-treatment, and posttreatment variable sets.
Abstract
Data for the study were obtained from records of Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment Outcome Research (CATOR) in St. Paul, MN. The CATOR database is derived from contracts with adolescent chemical dependency treatment centers to conduct program outcome evaluations by using standardized data-collection forms and follow-up interviews developed by CATOR. The study used scales selected from the three CATOR questionnaires that address areas of history, discharge, and 6-month follow-up. The pretreatment variable set included socially related problems, substance abuse history, sexual abuse experience, family problems, and psychological variables. Variables selected from the during-treatment set were family participation and length of stay in treatment. The posttreatment support group composites consisted of attendance at AA/NA or other self-help support group, attendance at aftercare programs, and parental attendance at ALANON/ALATEEN. Subjects' outcome function was measured by their longest period of abstinence in the previous 6 months. A t-test analysis was first performed to compare gender differences in the three sets of variables. Separate discriminant function analyses were performed for male and female subjects to test the efficacy of the three variable sets in explaining treatment outcome. The t-test analysis showed that females manifested more psychological difficulties, family-related problems, and sexual abuse experiences; and males exhibited worse school and legal problems prior to treatment. Females also had better attendance at aftercare or self-help groups and better treatment outcomes than males. Discriminant function analyses indicated that school problems, legal problems, lack of religious involvement, and substance abuse before treatment could discriminate abstinence status for females at 6-month follow-up. Substance abuse before treatment, length of stay in treatment, and parental participation in treatment could differentiate abstinence status for males at 6-month follow-up. Parameters for applying the research findings and implications for adolescent substance abuse treatment are also discussed. 3 tables and 47 references