Childhood Risk Factors for Alcohol Abuse and Psychological Distress Among Adult Lesbians

• NCJ Number: 220036
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 31 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2007 Pages: 769-789
• Author(s): Tonda L. Hughes; Timothy P. Johnson; Sharon C. Wilsnack; Laura A. Szalacha
• Date Published: July 2007
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): AA00266; AA13328
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationships between childhood and family background variables, including sexual and physical abuse and subsequent alcohol abuse and psychological distress in adult lesbians.

Abstract

The study found that lesbians who experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA) were at heightened risk of lifetime alcohol abuse and those who experienced childhood physical abuse (CPA) were at heightened risk of lifetime psychological distress relative to lesbians without abuse histories. Findings also support research indicating that having a parent with alcohol problems is a strong predictor of adverse mental health outcomes (Dube et al., 2002: Widon, Ireland, and Glynn, 1995). Parental strictness also predicted lifetime psychological distress but was small compared with the influence of CPA on psychological distress. Race, age, and education were each directly associated with lifetime psychological distress. White participants, younger participants, and those with lower levels of education were at greater risk. Data were collected in 2000-2001 using the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women Study (CHLEW). The participants represented a wide age range, 18-83 years, and over half of them were racial/ethnic minority women. Tables, figure, references