NCJ Number
167278
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 32 Issue: 10 Dated: (August 1997) Pages: 1417-1431
Date Published
1997
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This research investigated the type of and extent to which additional problematic experiences and behaviors were associated with a history of both substance misuse and childhood sexual abuse.
Abstract
Of 44 female college students who completed questionnaires, 15 reported a history of problematic alcohol or drug use; of these, 10 also reported a history of sexual trauma. Women who were sexually abused had more marriages, married younger, and became pregnant earlier than those who had no history of sexual trauma. In addition, women who had a history of childhood sexual abuse were more likely to report past behaviors and experiences associated with victimization than those who had no history of sexual trauma. Those with a history of childhood sexual abuse were more likely to have one or more eating disorders, to have thought of suicide, to have attempted suicide, to report emotional and physical abuse, and to have been battered by a boyfriend or a husband. Findings lend support to earlier studies reporting a high incidence of both physical and sexual abuse among women with alcohol and drug-related problems and suggest the association between childhood sexual abuse and problem alcohol and drug use is complex. 35 references and 7 tables