Citation

Mitchell PF, Kutin JJ, Daley K, Best D, Bruun AJ. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 2016; 68: 34-43.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.06.016

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examines gender differences in the characteristics of young people (N = 1000) attending alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in the state of Victoria, Australia. Females demonstrate levels of substance use that are at least as high, and perhaps more harmful than that of males. Our data add to a growing base of evidence that young women attending youth AOD services experience additional psychosocial problems at higher rates than their male counterparts. This evidence is now fairly consistent in regard to mental health problems, self-injury, suicide attempts, and homelessness.

FINDINGS from this study further suggest that the gender imbalance may extend to child protection involvement, family conflict and disconnection, access to social support, and exposure to neglect and abuse. © 2016

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; Young people; Gender differences; Census; Psychosocial complexity; Substance abuse services