To study characteristics of aggression of male and female offenders with substance dependence.

One hundred and fifty-five male and 110 female adolescents abusing psychoactive substances and serving their sentence were examined. “Hand-test” and Buss-Durkee questionnaire were used in this study.

During comparison of number of offences committed by male and female adolescents, it was revealed that male adolescents commit significantly more crimes against life and female adolescents more crimes against property. Conducted analysis showed high level of aggressive and hostile reactions in this sample, indices of female adolescents (13.7 ± 2.95 and 27.6 ± 5.5) are significantly higher (P < 0.05), than in male adolescents (8.6 ± 2.8 and 23.6 ± 5.3). Significant correlations between level of aggression in female adolescents and beginning of substance use were revealed (r = 0.46, P < 0.05). In male adolescents, long-term substance use correlated with increase in level of physical aggression and tendency to manipulative behaviour (r = 0.37, P < 0.05). In male adolescents, high potential of adjustability, use of communication for self-assertion and achievement of goals, low level of attachment were revealed. Female adolescents are more aggressive in contacts, build relationships according to type of control-submission.

Conducted study allowed revealing gender traits of juvenile offenders influencing the structure of aggressive behaviour, allowing the broadening the understanding of mechanisms of aggressive behaviour.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.