Citation

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

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Sociedad Medica De Santiago)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is the most vulnerable development stage to start drug abuse in our country. Moreover, adolescent personality may be an individual rísk 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 rísk, 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

Keywords

Adolescent; Personality disorders; Substance-related disorders