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Examining the Psychosocial Functioning and Characteristics of Incarcerated Girls with a Substance Use Disorder

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the psychosocial characteristics of incarcerated girls with a substance use disorder. Profile analysis, the repeated measures extension of multivariate analysis of variance, was conducted to compare a state-based sample of incarcerated girls with (n = 140) and without (n = 63) a substance use disorder across multiple subscales of the Multidimensional Adolescent Assessment Scale. Girls with a substance use disorder had higher levels of problem severity. They were more likely to have problems related to alcohol use, drug use, aggression, and cognition. Incarcerated girls with a substance use disorder may benefit from intense interventions that focus on cognitive restructuring or cognitive recovery, and interventions that promote coping and stress management skills.

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Correspondence to Chiquitia L. Welch-Brewer.

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Welch-Brewer, C.L., Roberts-Lewis, A.C. Examining the Psychosocial Functioning and Characteristics of Incarcerated Girls with a Substance Use Disorder. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 28, 175–187 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-011-0226-0

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