Self and ideal self-concept in a drug-using subculture

Self- and ideal-self-perception of drug addicts in therapeutic communities

Ninety-one drug addicts from four residential treatment centers completed a 50-item rating scale for self and ideal self. Factor analysis of their responses revealed two five-factor solutions. As hypothesized, residents who had been in the centers for 10 months or more had higher self-esteem than residents in treatment for shorter periods. They also saw themselves as less pawnlike and were less self-critical. Primary dimensions of the residents' view of ideal self were Pawn and Self-criticism. Implications for program intake procedures, treatment techniques, and goals; criteria for success and failure; and community roles are discussed.

Self-concept and drug involvement among urban junior high school youths

Relationships between self-concept and drug involvement were examined through a survey given to 1,100 urban junior high school youths from mixed socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The students were presented with 14 descriptions of "types" of youth, which they rated in terms of similarity to themselves. Factor analyses produced three "self-image" factors each for both males and females. "Gang" and "drug culture" self-images were positively associated with self-reported drug use (r's for .35 to .46), while an "educational" self-image was negatively associated with drug involvement (r's from -.20 to -.30). Implications for further research and for drug abuse prevention planning are discussed.