Citation

Cuomo C, Sarchiapone M, di Giannantonio M, Mancini M, Roy A. Am. J. Drug Alcohol Abuse 2008; 34(3): 339-345.

Affiliation

University of Molise, Department of Health Sciences, Loc. Tappino,Campobasso, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00952990802010884

PMID

18428076

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study is then to analyze psychological and judicial features of a subgroup of inmates with substance abuse. METHODS: Prisoners with substance abuse (n = 312) were compared to prisoners without substance abuse (n = 591). Recruited inmates completed a semistructured interview for collection of sociodemographic and judicial data and a battery of psychometric tests for assessement of aggression, impulsivity, depression, personality traits, hostility, resilience, and childhood trauma. RESULTS: Substance abusers had on average multiple incarcerations (78.8%), more juvenile convictions (60.2%), more violent behaviors during detention (29.8%), and a history of one or more suicide attempts (20.8%). They also had higher scores on subscales for childhood trauma, higher scores for psychoticism and neuroticism, higher impulsivity levels, worse resilience, increased hostility, and prevalent suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: Prisoners with substance abuse constitute a subgroup with increased judiciary and psychiatric issues, possibly due to early life history and psychological characteristics, such as high impulsivity and aggressiveness, poor resilience, and higher suicidal risk.

Language: en