KOHUTS THEORY OF NARCISSISM AND ADOLESCENT DRUG-ABUSE TREATMENT

In this study, we sought to determine whether changes in narcissism am ong adolescents occurred during a 6-month period of treatment for subs tance abuse and whether level of narcissism was related to progress in treatment and treatment persistence versus withdrawal. Participants w ere 95 adolescents (M = 16 years of age) entering or already in long-t erm treatment for drug abuse, surveyed three times over 6 months. Narc issism was measured by two instruments based on Kohut's theory of narc issistic development. Findings indicated that many, but not all, narci ssistic characteristics did change during treatment. Theorized relatio ns were found between narcissism scores and progress in treatment for most narcissistic manifestations. The ability to relinquish angry acti ng-out behavior distinguished dropouts from persisters.