Aggressiveness, Impulsiveness, and the Use of Alcohol and Drugs: Understanding Adolescence in Different Contexts

Abstract

This study aimed to compare impulsivity, aggressiveness, and alcohol and drug use in 115 male adolescents aged 14 to 17 years. The study have four groups as follows: (1) juvenile offenders (n = 30), (2) students in regular public education (n = 30), (3) athletes in a soccer team (n = 30), and (4) students at a military school (n = 25). The instruments used in this research were a questionnaire about substance use, the Barratt impulsiveness scale for young people, and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. The results indicated that juvenile offenders had higher levels of anger feelings and impulsivity compared with other groups. Although the groups did not differ in terms of alcohol experimentation, those who had already consumed alcohol presented higher scores on impulsivity and aggressiveness. Adolescents who had already tried drugs scored higher on impulsivity for non-planning and inward anger. In comparison with being detained in a juvenile offender regime, intense sports practice was associated with lower level of anger and studying in a military school with lower motor impulsivity. Results demonstrate that both aggressiveness and impulsivity may be risk factors in youth and may increase the incidence of violent behavior and drug use.