Anger expression, coping, and substance use in adolescent offenders

Abstract

The present study examined anger expression and avoidant coping and their relationship to substance use and use-related consequences in a sample of 270 incarcerated adolescents. Outwardly expressed anger was significantly associated with both alcohol and marijuana use and use-related consequences. Avoidant coping was also significantly associated with all outcome variables. There were no significant interactions between anger expression (outward or inward) and avoidant coping. Collectively, results suggest that expression of anger and avoidant coping are independent risk factors for substance use and use-related consequences across two classes of drugs in adolescent offenders. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.