Donohue B, Van Hasselt V B, Hersen M, Perrin S
Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 89154, USA.
Addict Behav. 1999 Jan-Feb;24(1):37-46. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4603(98)00035-5.
The present study examined substance refusal skills of 44 conduct-disordered male adolescents. Fifty percent of these adolescents were dually diagnosed with substance abuse/dependence. Substance refusal skills were assessed utilizing a role-play test that consisted of four interpersonal scenarios in which a confederate prompted youths to engage in illicit drug and alcohol activity. The test demonstrated adequate interrater agreement and validity. Overall skill in refusing alcohol was positively related to adolescents' perceptions of belonging and attention, and overall skill in refusing illicit drugs was positively related to school performance and social competence. Contrary to expectations, substance refusal skills of dually diagnosed adolescents were comparable to their non-substance-abusing counterparts. Clinical implications of this study are discussed.
