The Role of Gender in the Association Between Child Maltreatment and Substance Use Behavior: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Research from 1995 to 2011

Abstract

This systematic review analyzes the role of gender in the association between childhood maltreatment and substance use outcomes, among longitudinal papers published between 1995 and 2011. Ten papers examined gender as a moderating variable. Results on gender differences were mixed. When studies that found no gender effects were compared with studies that did identify gender effects, differences in measurement, sample composition, and developmental timing of outcomes were identified. This review also examines how gender effects are assessed. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed. Areas for future research are identified.

Three Types of Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Alcohol and Drug Dependence Among Adults: An Investigation Using Population-Based Data

“…It has also been suggested that lack of gender differences found in more recent studies reflects a cohort effect, whereby the negative stigma surrounding women's substance use has become less strong. Consequently, more women are thought to be using substances, potentially problematically, thus leading to a washing out of -Valente & Wells, 2013). Continued investigation of gender moderation is required, with special attention given to potential cohort effects.…”

“…There has been growing interest in the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which commonly include physical and sexual abuse. Exposure to either type of abuse has been strongly associated with alcohol and drug abuse and/or dependency in adulthood, in both clinical and population-based samples (Afifi et al, 2006;Dube et al, 2003;Fenton et al, 2013;Kendler et al, 2000;Kendler et al, 2015;Kristman-Valente & Wells, 2013;MacMillan et al, 2001;Menard et al, 2015;Molnar et al, 2001;Widom & White, 1997;Widom et al, 2007;Wilson & Widom, 2009). Several studies have also linked less direct forms of victimization, such as exposure to parental domestic violence, to adult substance abuse or dependence (Anda et al, 2002;Dube et al, 2003;Menard et al, 2015).…”

“…Despite gender being related to both exposure to ACEs and prevalence of drug and alcohol use, research investigating it as a moderator has been limited, producing mixed results (Kristman-Valente & Wells, 2013). Among more methodologically rigorous studies, there is some evidence that childhood adversities are more important for predicting substance use among adult women than men (MacMillan et al, 2001;Widom & White, 1997;Widom et al, 2007), especially when focusing on more severe outcomes (Kristman-Valente & Wells, 2013); however, there are important exceptions to this finding. For instance, a recent cotwin prospective cohort study found a stronger effect of childhood sexual abuse on past year alcohol problems among men than women (Kendler et al 2015), while an earlier longitudinal community-based study found no gender differences in the latter relationship (Galaif et al, 2001).…”

The role of distress tolerance in the relationship between cognitive schemas and alcohol problems among college students

“…Although both men and women endorse high rates of early maladaptive schemas, women tend to endorse greater severity (Shorey et al, 2012, 2014). Women are often more likely to have experienced childhood maltreatment relative to men, such as sexual abuse (Kristman-Valente & Wells, 2013), possibly placing women at increased risk of developing these maladaptive schemas. Furthermore, women most often have greater rates of depression and anxiety (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Kristman-Valente & Wells, 2013), disorders linked with underlying schemas (Beck, 2011; Young et al, 2003); hence, symptomology may account for gender differences (Shorey et al, 2012, 2014).…”

“…Women are often more likely to have experienced childhood maltreatment relative to men, such as sexual abuse (Kristman-Valente & Wells, 2013), possibly placing women at increased risk of developing these maladaptive schemas. Furthermore, women most often have greater rates of depression and anxiety (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Kristman-Valente & Wells, 2013), disorders linked with underlying schemas (Beck, 2011; Young et al, 2003); hence, symptomology may account for gender differences (Shorey et al, 2012, 2014). The results of the current study primarily reflect the experience of women, and studies the means with which these symptoms are managed.…”