Abusing Patterns and Psychological Traits of Adolescent Glue Sniffers

Abstract

In this research, the relationships between abusing patterns and psychological traits of adolescent glue sniffers were investigated, aiming at detection of inhibitory factors against glue sniffing. We analyzed the abusing patterns, not only at the time of arrest but at the initial sniffing, and 8 psychological traits as follows : self concept, parental images, feeling of adjustment, psychological tolerance, peer relations, time-perspective, locus of control and recognition about harmfulness to health by glue sniffing. Subjects were 140 boys and 76 hirls who were arrested by police. The main results are as following.

the initial sniffing.

(1) The shorter the abusing duration was, the lower the frequency of and the

dependence on glue sniffing were. It was suggested, therefore, giving guidance to juvenile glue sniffer at the incipient stage was very important as insisted hitherto.

(2) Sniffers who had not only positive impressions but negative impressions on glue sniffing at the incipient stage were sniffing at the time of arrest spontaneously rather than induced or coercively. Recognition about harmfulness to health by sniffing was not presumed per se to be inhibitory factor.

(3) Sniffers who had been given glue by peers at the first abusing were sniffing in groups at the time of arrest. It was suggested lening and borrowing of glue were frequently done among peers.

(4) Active sniffers at the initial occasion were apt to become spontaneous sniffers.

2 From analysis of psychological traits with regard to the differences of abusing patterns.

(1) Sniffers highly dependent on the glue had bad self images, even if they had low frequency of sniffing.

(2) Sniffers with short time-perspective were “sniffing in groups”, “without professional sellers” and “with high frequency of sniffing”.

(3) Sniffers maladjusted to their family were sniffing frequently and highly dependent on the glue. In regard to seriouess of glue abuse, the importance concerning adjustment to family was suggested from these results.

(4) Sniffers who bought glue from underground sellers were well-adjusted in their peer relations. Sniffing “in groups and without definite reasons” and “in groups and with high dependence on glue” were correlated with maladjustment to peers. From these findings, it was presumed that mpst of glue sniffers had not good relationships with peers and had little empathic human relations.