Biomedical subjects

A A Cavaiola

Publications and source records attributed to A A Cavaiola.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Maturity fears during recovery from cocaine dependency.

The present study explored the incidence of maturation fears among 22 cocaine-dependent individuals who were at various levels of recovery ranging from 3 mo. to 4 yr. From clinical observation and prior research it is known that cocaine dependency commonly produces feelings of empowerment and confidence and thus, it was predicted that cocaine-dependent individuals would report more extreme maturation fears, measured by the Maturity Fears subscale of the Eating Disorders Inventory. The findings indicated that the cocaine-dependent group had significantly higher scores than a group of individuals not dependent on cocaine.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Suicidal behavior in chemically dependent adolescents.

Among 250 adolescents in a short-term residential treatment program for chemical dependency, 20% had attempted suicide in the two years prior to admission. Females, however, were found to have a higher attempt rate than did males. Suicide attempters were compared with a group of 50 nonsuicidal adolescents from the same treatment program and 50 non-chemically dependent, nonsuicidal high school students. Each adolescent was administered the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and a biographical history was obtained. The suicidal group was found to be more psychologically distressed than were the other two groups. Post hoc analysis revealed that there were significant differences between the chemically dependent groups (suicidal, nonsuicidal) on the Global Severity Index of the SCL-90-R, as well as the following subscales: Somatization, Depression, Anxiety, and Phobic Anxiety. It was also found that the majority of suicidal gestures or attempts had gone untreated beyond medical management. It was found that only 28% of the suicide attempters had received crisis intervention or emergency room treatment, and only 27% had received some type of follow-up treatment or counseling. These results are discussed, particularly in regard to the issue of "covert suicide."

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Self-esteem in abused chemically dependent adolescents.

In a random sample of 500 admissions to a residential treatment center for chemically dependent adolescents. 150 cases of physical and sexual abuse had been identified. These adolescents were matched for age, race, and socioeconomic status, with two comparison groups: a group of nonabused chemically dependent adolescents and a group of nonabused, nonchemically dependent adolescents. Self-esteem was measured, utilizing the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), which was administered to all subjects. The abused, chemically dependent adolescents were found to demonstrate significantly lower self-esteem on all subscales when analyzed against these two comparison groups. There were negligible differences within the abused group when the TSCS scores were analyzed according to type of abuse. Aggressive/physically abused adolescents scored higher on the Physical Self subscale and the incest group scored significantly lower on the Identity subscales. These results suggest that abuse is equally devastating, regardless of the type of abuse, e.g., physical, sexual, incest, and has a long-lasting impact on self-esteem.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Behavioral sequelae of physical and/or sexual abuse in adolescents.

In a survey of 500 admissions to a short-term residential chemical dependency treatment center for adolescents (ages 12 to 18), 150 adolescents (30%) had been identified as victims of physical and/or sexual abuse. While the abused group had a higher incidence of prior social service and mental health intervention, extraordinarily 68% of these abuse cases had not been reported by children, family, or interviewers prior to the adolescents having entered the chemical dependency residential treatment facility. This chemically dependent, previously abused group was differentiated from a comparison group of nonabused, chemically dependent adolescents, and a second comparison group of nonabused, nonchemically dependent adolescents. Results indicated a higher incidence of acting out behavior, runaways, legal involvement and sexual promiscuity within the abused group.

Adaptation, Psychological↗