Relationship between solvent inhalation and antisocial behavior: Special emphasis on two types of violence seen in solvent abusers |
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Authors: | NOBUAKI MORITA MD SHINJI SATOH MD SUSUMU ODA MD HIROSHI TOMITA MD MASAMI SHOJI MD EIICHI SENO MD KEIICHIRO ABE MD TAKAKO KONISHI MD TAKAYUKI OKADA MD |
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Affiliation: | Institute of Community Medicine, The University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba;Hokkaido Katei Gakko, Home for Resocialization for Minors, Hokkaido;Kinugawa Gakuin, Home for Resocialization for Minors, Tocnigi;Psychiatric Research Institute of Tokyo, Tokyo;Musashino Gakuin, Home for Resocialization for Minors, Vrawa;Department of Criminal Psychiatry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo;Foundation for Advancement of International Science, Tsukuba, Japan |
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Abstract: | Abstract Organic solvent inhalation is a serious problem among youths in Japan. It induces physical and mental disorders, and is related closely to crime and delinquency. The relationship between solvent inhalation and antisocial behavior was investigated in 75 youths. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the level of violent behavior and the time of appearance: a non-violent group, a late-onset group (violence occurred after the start of inhalation) and an early-onset group (violence had occurred before the start of inhalation). Various parameters were compared among the groups. The late-onset group showed the following characteristics: (i) the frequency of inhalation was high, and many subjects experienced hallucinations and mood changes caused by inhalation; (ii) the family environment was characterized by conflict; and (iii) the subjects had strong psychological conflicts and showed dissociative coping with frustration. The violence, psychological conflict and dissociation in this group were found to be related to the inhalation, with familial conflict as a background. The violence in the early-onset group was considered to be the manifestation of a violent personality as the frequency of inhalation and the incidence of mental symptoms were both low. The subjects in this group showed weak psychological conflict and tended to be demanding of others when attempting to cope with frustration. Two types of violent behaviors in the teenagers who inhaled solvents were identified. The violence of solvent inhalers should be managed according to the type. |
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Keywords: | antisocial behavior drug abuse family environment personality solvent inhalation violence |
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