{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.019924098671726755, 'fraction_numerical': 0.004743833017077799, 'mean_word_length': 6.272413793103448, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Addictive profile in juvenile delinquents admitted to correctional institutions in relation to personality characteristics

IntroductionA strong correlation and connection has been observed between drug use and delinquency, as most youths in juvenile commitment programs are involved with drugs compared with nondelinquent youths. Aim of the studyThe aim of this study was to determine the relationship between substance use among delinquent adolescents and personality characteristics and its impact on mental health. MethodsFifty juvenile delinquent adolescents from among juveniles admitted to two correctional institutes as well as 50 control juveniles were selected. Informed consent was taken. Psychometric analyses were conducted using the Addiction Severity Index, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and The Adolescent and Adult Psychological State Inventory. ResultsOf the juvenile delinquents, 28% were found to be using nicotine, 22% were using cannabis, and 24% were using polysubstances. They expressed more symptoms of adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficiency hyperactivity disorder, and conduct disorder, and the difference was statistically significant between cases and controls. There were statistically significant differences between cases and controls as regards all the personality dimensions, including extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. In all, 25% of juvenile delinquents suffered from moderate to severe problems with regard to employment, legal, psychiatric, and social problems, as assessed by the Addiction Severity Index. There were statistically significant differences between male and female delinquents as regards employment, psychiatric, and social problems as assessed by the Addiction Severity Index. ConclusionCommunity and correctional systems must be established to provide psychiatric services to the youth, as juvenile delinquents with psychiatric disorders pose a challenge for the juvenile justice system and, after their release, for the larger mental health system.