Influences on adolescent substance dependence: conduct disorder, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and gender.

OBJECTIVE

In adolescents, conduct disorder (CD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression are frequently comorbid with substance dependence (SD). We hypothesized that the prevalence and severity of CD, major depressive disorder (MDD), and ADHD would differ by gender, and that these conditions would associate differentially with severity of SD in males and females.

METHODS

We examined these issues, using standardized diagnostic interviews, in 285 male and 82 female adolescents referred for comorbid CD and SD.

RESULTS

Males and females did not differ significantly in severity of substance involvement, MDD, or ADHD, but males had more severe CD. MDD severity was the only variable significantly associated with SD severity for females, while for males, severity of CD combined with MDD and ADHD was significantly associated with SD severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Among referred adolescents, CD, MDD, and ADHD may all be important concomitants of SD in males, while in females, depression may be the primary variable related to SD.