A rapid systematic review on the association between childhood physical and sexual abuse and illicit drug use among males

Abstract

This paper aims to review studies in relation to the association between childhood physical (CPA) and sexual abuse (CSA) and illicit drug use among the male clinical and general community populations using a systematic approach. Primary studies were identifi ed using online databases which were searched comprehensively using a set of pre-determined search criteria and terms. Other sources included expert contact and the reference list of a relevant review. Associations between exposure (CPA/CSA) and outcome (illicit drug use) were considered with regards to an array of factors. A total of 5012 references were initially identifi ed out of which 18 studies met the necessary criteria for reviewing. The review demonstrates tentative support for factors such as earlier drug initiation, intravenous drug use and greater frequency of use among some of the samples. It also demonstrates the diffi culties involved in drawing conclusions due to the complex and multifaceted nature of drug use and the variability in the quality of the research available in this area. Limitations of the current review are highlighted and recommendations offered for future research with consideration given to practical implications in clinical and forensic settings. Miller and Mancusco, 2004). Indeed, a number of studies have reported an association between various forms of victimisation and later pro blematic substance use among adolescents and adults, although sexual abuse appears to be the focal point of attention for many studies (e.g. Bergen et al., 2004;Dube et al., 2005;Harrison et al., 1997;Holmes, 1997). This body of research illustrates the role of childhood abuse as a possible contributing factor to the development of substance abuse that not only increases the likelihood of substance use per se but also complicates the clinical picture of substance abuse by adding a component of psychological and behavioural distress (Bergen et al., 2004). Many mechanisms have been postulated to explain the association between childhood victimisation and illicit drug use and abuse. In these conceptualisations, substance use represents a strategy to cope with the stress produced by these forms of violence (e.g. Garnefski and Arends, 1998;Kilpatrick et al., 2000; Miller and Mancusco, 2004;Weiss et al., 1999). Hypothetically speaking, distress caused by negative experiences such as victimisation drives individuals to engage in behaviours that reduce negative emotions, such as situational avoidance or drug use (Kilpatrick et al., 1997). That is to say, substance use or abuse following negative events may be an effective, albeit maladaptive, strategy to mask the negative affect associated with such experiences (Kilpatrick et al., 2000; Miller and Mancusco, 2004;Weiss et al., 1999). However, the correlational nature of the research in this area makes it impossible to ascertain defi nitely whether childhood sexual abuse (CSA) or childhood physical abuse (CPA) is causally related to any later outcomes (Simpson and Miller, 2002). Since victimisation cannot ...

The blind men and the elephant: Identification of a latent maltreatment construct for youth in foster care

“…Indeed, a recent study by Spinazzola and colleagues (2014) identified that psychological maltreatment accounts for a significant proportion of the variance in mental health outcomes for youth, above and beyond effects of physical and sexual abuse and thus, should be considered along with measures of physical and sexual abuse. In sum, given the multiple dimensions of maltreatment, the frequent overlap between maltreatment types, and the varied findings regarding how maltreatment type relates to outcomes in youth, a broad, more-inclusive approach to conceptualization of maltreatment that accounts for other dimensions (such as severity and chronicity) to use when examining the path between maltreatment and outcomes is warranted (Butt et al, 2011; English, Upadhyaya, et al, 2005). …”

Why is Childhood Maltreatment Associated with Adolescent Substance Abuse? A Critical Review of Explanatory Models

“…Compared to adults, adolescents who drink alcohol to excess may be more at risk because they drink in the company of inexperienced peers who may not act appropriately to aid or protect those who become dangerously intoxicated. The risks can be presumed to be increased for adolescents who begin this behavior at very young ages, and at least six studies have noted a younger age of initiation of substance use for adolescents with histories of childhood maltreatment, compared to those without such histories (Tonmyr et al 2010; also see Butt et al 2011). For example, Hamburger et al (2008) asked nearly 4,000 students from a high risk district about their experiences before the age of 10 years of witnessing intimate partner violence, and experiencing either sexual abuse or injury-causing physical abuse.…”

“…However, given that many young people who use marijuana also use other substances (Macleod et al 2004) and given difficulties in studying effects of specific drugs in poly-substance using groups, a recent systematic review found "no strong evidence that use of cannabis in itself has important consequences for psychological or social health" of young people, although effects cannot be ruled out (Macleod et al 2004(Macleod et al , p. 1586. Others have noted the difficulties in drawing conclusions given that substance use is complex and multifaceted (Butt et al 2011). Similarly, Schweinsburg et al (2008) noted that persistence of deficits beyond 6 weeks of cannabis abstinence has not been established, and that potential pre-existing differences between heavy users and non-or light users might contribute to short-term observed differences.…”

Masturbation and Substance Abuse among Street Children of Harare Central Business District, Zimbabwe

“…Makaruse (2010) defines substance abuse as taking too much of a drug, taking a drug too often or taking drugs or substances for wrong reasons. Houston, et al (2012); Butt et al (2011) observed that there is a close relationship between childhood sexual abuse and illicit of substance abuse among people including those in street situations. Therefore, this paper examines the multilayered or complex relationship between masturbation and substance abuse among the street children of Harare Central Business District.…”