Drug Abuse, Emotional, and Externalizing Behavioral Problems among Incarcerated Juveniles in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Drug abuse among incarcerated juvenile offenders is an important public health and criminal justice concern, particularly where access to mental health and rehabilitation services is limited. The present study examined the relationships among drug abuse, emotional problems (depression, anxiety, and stress), and externalizing behavioral problems among incarcerated juveniles in Punjab, Pakistan. A quantitative correlational design was used with 300 incarcerated male juveniles aged 13–19 years recruited through purposive sampling from jails in Punjab, Pakistan, where designated wards were available for juveniles. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Drug Abuse Screening Test–10 (DAST-10), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–21 (DASS-21), and the Externalizing Spectrum Inventory–Brief Form (ESI-BF). Drug abuse was positively associated with externalizing behavioral problems (r = .60, p < .01) and negatively associated with overall DASS-21 scores (r = −.49, p < .01). Drug abuse significantly predicted externalizing behavioral problems, explaining 34.9% of the variance, and significantly predicted emotional-problem scores, explaining 24.5% of the variance. Age, age at first drug use, substance type, offence type, and duration of current drug use were associated with distinct psychological and behavioral patterns. Overall, the findings support integrated rehabilitation approaches that address substance use, emotional functioning, and externalizing behavior while considering developmental and offence-related characteristics.