Depression in solvent abusers

Abstract

Previous studies mention that some solvent abusers have a depressed mood. This study sets out to determine in a formal way whether solvent abusers are more depressed than a comparison group of non-solvent abusers. Forty-seven consecutive admissions (all with delinquent histories) to the secure unit of a regional assessment centre for adolescent boys, who fulfilled certain criteria, were assessed. They completed the General Health 28 item questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Great Ormond Street (GOS) mood questionnaire. Thereafter, they were administered a semi-structured interview covering the following areas--solvent abuse data, educational data, demographic and family data, criminal history and other drug use data. Results showed that significantly more solvent abusers were depressed than non-solvent abusers as defined by GOS-mood scores of 25 or more (P less than 0.05). Also, mean GHQ-28 total scores (P less than 0.02), GHQ-28 depression subscale scores (P less than 0.02), and GOS-mood scores (P less than 0.05) were significantly higher in the solvent abuse group. In conclusion, solvent abusers are more depressed than a comparison non-solvent abusing group.