Werner Wothke

The Role of Family Factors, Physical Abuse, and Sexual Victimization Experiences in High-Risk Youths' Alcohol and Other Drug Use and Delinquency: A Longitudinal Model

Our understanding of the adverse effects of early child physical and sexual abuse has developed to a point where there is need to elucidate the processes by which various developmental outcomes occur. Limited variability on key measures of family stress and in youths’ drug use, other delinquent behavior and abuse histories in the general population has limited theory development. Using data from an ongoing, longitudinal study of juvenile detainees, we test a developmental damage model of the relationships among the youths’ family background and problem factors, their sexual victimization and physical abuse experiences, and their substance use and delinquent behavior over time. The hypothesized model was supported by the data. Theoretical and policy implications of the results are drawn. In particular, early intervention with high-risk youths and their families is needed to address effectively their problems and troubled behavior before drug use and delinquent careers become firmly established.

Psychosocial Functioning Among Juvenile Offenders 12 Months After Family Empowerment Intervention

Abstract We report the final results of a study of the impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) on the one-year, post-initial interview psychosocial functioning of 272 youths processed at the Hillsbo-rough County Juvenile Assessment Center who entered the project between September 1, 1994 and January 31, 1998. The FEI seeks to improve family functioning by empowering parents. Families involved in the project were randomly assigned to either receive an Extended Services Intervention (ESI) or the FEI. Families in the ESI group received monthly phone contacts and, if indicated, referral information; FEI families received three one-hour, home-based meetings per week for 10 weeks from a clinician-trained para-professional. The outcome analyses indicated that, compared to ESI youths, youths receiving FEI services reported: (1) fewer drug sales during the follow-up period, (2) getting very high or drunk on alcohol less often, (3) less marijuana use, and (4) had a lower hair test positive rate for marijuana use at follow-up interview. Further, analyses found youths completing the FEI had much better psychosocial outcomes, than youths not completing the FEI. Overall, the results provide strong, consistent evidence in support of the efficacy of the Family Empowerment Intervention. It is hoped our promising findings will encourage other jurisdictions to implement this worthwhile service.

A Longitudinal Study of the Predictors of the Adverse Effects of Alcohol and Marijuana/Hashish Use among a Cohort of High Risk Youths

Data gathered from a longitudinal study of juvenile detainees in a Southeastern state are used to examine the demographic and life experience factors relating to their reported adverse effects of the use of alcohol and other drugs. The results indicate: 1) marijuana/hashish use, (2) their use of these substances tends to be a vehicle for the expression of personal difficulties in the areas of self-esteem and emotional/psychological functioning, and 3) their use of these two substances needs to be seen in holistic terms. Research and policy implications of the results are drawn.

Examining a structural model of the relationships among alcohol use, marijuana/hashish use, their effects, and emotional and psychological problems over time in a cohort of high‐risk youths

Using data collected in a longitudinal study of detained juveniles, we test a model of the relationships among alcohol and marijuana or hashish use, reported adverse effects of the use of these substances, and emotional and psychological problems. Significant interrelationships were found among these factors over time. Degree of involvement in alcohol and marijuana or hashish use (measured either by self‐reports or both self‐reports and urine test results) was significantly related at Time 1 with the number of reported averse effects of the use of each specific substance; a similar relationship was found at Time 2 for marijuana or hashish use. In addition, emotional and psychological problems were significantly associated with reported adverse effects of the use of alcohol or marijuana or hashish at each time period. The results further indicate that youths who become more involved in the use of alcohol or marijuana or hashish over time report more adverse effects of their use of each of these substances....

Brief Intervention Impact on Truant Youths' Marijuana Use: Eighteen-Month Follow-Up

ABSTRACT School truancy among teenagers remains a serious national problem, as evidenced by its significant association with school performance, psychological, and behavioral problems. Truancy is also positively associated with substance abuse. This study presents 18-month outcome data from a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded controlled trial that examined the efficacy of a brief intervention (BI) to reduce marijuana use among truant youths. Adolescents and their parents were randomly assigned to receive either a two-session youth-only session (BI-Y), two-session youth and additional parent session (BI-YP), or standard truancy services (STS). Analyses of an auto-regressive lag model examined marijuana use at three months, six months, 12 m onths, and 18 m onths post-intervention. Results indicated adolescents receiving BI services, especially BI-Y services, showed significant reductions in marijuana use, at 18-month follow-up. BI-YP youths showed a greater increase in marijuana use than BI-Y youths. Reasons for this unexpected finding are discussed. Implications of the results for future research and service delivery also are discussed.