Citation

Vinet EV, Faúndez X, Larraguibel M. Rev. Med. Chile 2009; 137(4): 466-474.

Vernacular Title

Adolescentes con trastorno por consumo de sustancias: una caracterizacion de

Affiliation

Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. evinet@ufro.cl

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Sociedad Medica De Santiago)

DOI

/S0034-98872009000400003

PMID

19623411

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is the most vulnerable development stage to start drug abuse in our country. Moreover, adolescent personality may be an individual risk factor for drug abuse. AIM: To characterize the personality of adolescent drug abusers using the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI) and its Chilean norms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adolescents consulting in a mental health facility were studied. MACI was applied to 46 subjects, aged 16 +/- 1 years (30 males) with a history of drug abuse and compared with 58 peers aged 15 +/- 2 years (34 males) without such history. RESULTS: Male and female drug abuser adolescents had a transgressor type of personality. Males had a high degree of sociability and unrestrained sexuality while females present signs of sexual abuse, suicide risk, and a more severe personality disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The personality traits detected in this group of drug abuser adolescents using Chilean norms is similar to those detected abroad and should help to plan rehabilitation.

Language: es