Self-medication among traumatized youth: structural equation modeling of pathways between trauma history, substance misuse, and psychological distress

Garland, Eric L.; Pettus-Davis, Carrie; Howard, Matthew O.

doi:10.1007/s10865-012-9413-5

Cited by 80 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Research on racial discrimination, for instance, has found that engaging in substance use to cope with racial discrimination moderated the relationship between discrimination and substance use over time (Gerrard et al, 2012). Psychological distress related to a young person’s gender identity may similarly influence substance use as a method of coping (Garland et al, 2013). These relationships could also be explained by the “minority stress” theory, which describes how chronic stress—including discrimination and trauma—experienced by minority groups can lead to negative health outcomes and increased risk behaviors (Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Hatzenbuehler et al, 2008; Meyer, 1995, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and correlates of substance use among trans*female youth ages 16–24 years in the San Francisco Bay Area

Rowe

Santos

McFarland

et al. 2015

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

130

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Background Substance use is highly prevalent among transgender (trans*) females and has been associated with negative health outcomes, including HIV infection. Little is known about psychosocial risk factors that may influence the onset of substance use among trans*female youth, which can contribute to health disparities during adulthood. Methods We conducted a secondary data analysis of a study on HIV risk and resilience among trans*female youth (N=292). Prevalence of substance use was assessed and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological distress, gender-related discrimination, parental drug or alcohol problems (PDAP) and multiple substance use outcomes. Results Most (69%) of the trans*female youth reported recent drug use. In multivariable analyses, those with PTSD had increased odds of drug use [AOR=1.94 (95%CI=1.09–3.44)]. Those who experienced gender-related discrimination had increased odds of drug use [AOR=2.28 (95%CI=1.17–4.44)], drug use concurrent with sex [AOR=2.35 (95%CI=1.11–4.98)] and use of multiple drugs [AOR=3.24 (95%CI=1.52–6.88)]. Those with psychological distress had increased odds of using multiple heavy drugs [AOR=2.27 (95%CI=1.01–5.12)]. Those with PDAP had increased odds of drugs use [AOR=2.62 (95%CI=1.43–4.82)], drug use concurrent with sex [AOR=2.01 (95%CI, 1.15–3.51)] and use of multiple drugs [AOR=2.10 (95%CI=1.22–3.62)]. Conclusions Substance use is highly prevalent among trans*female youth and was significantly associated with psychosocial risk factors. In order to effectively address substance use among trans*female youth, efforts must address coping related to gender-based discrimination and trauma. Furthermore, structural level interventions aiming to reduce stigma and gender-identity discrimination might also be effective.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and correlates of substance use among trans*female youth ages 16–24 years in the San Francisco Bay Area

Rowe

Santos

McFarland

et al. 2015

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

130

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“…However, in reality men and women’s pathways to prison may be very different. Prior research demonstrates that trauma exposure may lead to exacerbated substance use and mental health problems (Garland, Pettus-Davis, & Howard, 2012; Jordan et al, 2002). The fact that women prisoners report more experiences of prior victimization than men prisoners is just one example of why teasing out the differences between men and women prisoners is so critical for the most effective correctional intervention development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histories of childhood victimization and subsequent mental health problems, substance use, and sexual victimization for a sample of incarcerated women in the US

Tripodi

Pettus-Davis

2013

International Journal of Law and Psychiatry

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158

126

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Women are entering US prisons at nearly double the rate of men and are the fastest growing prison population. Current extant literature focuses on the prevalence of the incarceration of women, but few studies exist that emphasize the different trajectories to prison. For example, women prisoners have greater experiences of prior victimization, more reports of mental illness, and higher rates of illicit substance use. The purpose of this study was to understand the prevalence of childhood victimization and its association with adult mental health problems, substance abuse disorders, and further sexual victimization. The research team interviewed a random sample of 125 women prisoners soon to release from prison to gather information on their childhood physical and sexual victimization, mental health and substance abuse problems as an adult, and sexual victimization in the year preceding incarceration. Results indicate that women prisoners in this sample who were both physically and sexually victimized as a child were more likely to be hospitalized as an adult for a psychological or emotional problem. Women who were sexually victimized or both physically and sexually victimized were more likely to attempt suicide. Women who experienced physical victimization as children and women who were both physically and sexually victimized were more likely to have a substance use disorder and women who were sexually abused as children or both physically and sexually victimized were more likely to be sexually abused in the year preceding prison. This article ends with a discussion about prisons’ role in providing treatment for women prisoners and basing this treatment on women’s trajectories to prison, which disproportionately includes childhood victimization and subsequent mental health and substance use problems.

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“…Additionally, childhood trauma adversely affects endocrinological functioning and the stress response (Kempke et al, 2015), and the prevalence of childhood trauma is high amongst the homeless (Sundin & Baguley, 2015), and the incarcerated (Singleton, Meltzer, & Gatward, 1997), contributing to people with serious multiple deprivations, including substance use problems, homelessness, mental health problems and prison records (Bramley et al, 2015). Drugs and alcohol can also be used as avoidant coping to escape the intrusive thoughts and feelings of PTSD (Brady & Back, 2012;Garland, Pettus-Davis, & Howard, 2013). Moreover, childhood trauma additionally worsens the progression and outcome of problematic drug use (Heffernan et al, 2000;Lake et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trauma in the childhood stories of people who have injected drugs

Hammersley

Dalgarno

McCollum³

et al. 2015

Addiction Research & Theory

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Aim: To document childhood trauma in the life stories of people who have injected drugs. Method: Fifty-five participants (38 m, 17 f) recruited via Scottish recovery networks, who had injected drugs in the previous five years, were interviewed by peer researchers using the Life Story method. Results: Remembered childhood trauma included persistent violence, repeated sexual abuse, neglect and traumatic bereavements. Many traumas were related to adult alcohol use. Few participants told of no trauma, some of severe trauma contributing to subsequent drug problems, some recounted stories including traumatic events, but not linked to later drug problems. A few told of initial severe behavioural problems leading to trauma for the child and to drug problems. Drug problems followed trauma by various routes, without straightforward cause and effect: direct use of drugs as avoidant coping; juvenile heavy recreational use that escalated; forming relationships in mid to late teens with criminals. For men, this involved enmeshment in drug dealing, crime and prison. Some women formed relationships with men who injected drugs, who often introduced them to drugs, and some of whom were violently abusive. Heroin injecting was an effective means of blotting out distressing thoughts and feelings. Although, childhood stories also contained positive memories, factors that might have promoted resilience were rarely mentioned. Conclusions: Severe childhood trauma was common and gravitated people towards problem drug use via various pathways. Participants had often normalised the problems and did not remember adult help. Parental alcohol use contributed to trauma. Addiction services need to be more trauma minded. ARTICLE HISTORY

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Self-medication among traumatized youth: structural equation modeling of pathways between trauma history, substance misuse, and psychological distress

Cited by 80 publications

References 50 publications

Prevalence and correlates of substance use among trans*female youth ages 16–24 years in the San Francisco Bay Area

Prevalence and correlates of substance use among trans*female youth ages 16–24 years in the San Francisco Bay Area

Histories of childhood victimization and subsequent mental health problems, substance use, and sexual victimization for a sample of incarcerated women in the US

Trauma in the childhood stories of people who have injected drugs

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