Characteristics of women engaged in treatment for trauma and co‐occurring disorders: Findings from a national multisite study

Abstract

Using data from a common cross‐site protocol administered at study enrollment, in this article we examine key characteristics of 2,729 participants in the Women, Co‐Occurring Disorders and Violence Study (WCDVS), including demographics, physical health, mental health, substance abuse, trauma experiences, parenting status, and past history of service use. These data are important because they represent the first federal initiative that addresses the significant lack of appropriate services for women with co‐occurring substance use and mental health disorders who have experienced trauma. Study findings reveal a very vulnerable population with extensive histories of abuse and substantial physical and mental health service needs. Data suggest a pressing need for increased availability of physical and mental health services capable of serving the complex needs of women with co‐occurring disorders and histories of interpersonal violence (physical and/or sexual abuse). Equally important are funding strategies to support needed services. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 33: 429–443, 2005.

Does integrated trauma‐informed substance abuse treatment increase treatment retention?

“…sites of the WCDVS.~For a full description of the WCDVS study design, see Giard et al, 2005. For a full description of women's characteristics at baseline, see Becker et al, 2005.! Study participants in this sample were recruited into the study and received baseline interviews within 60 days of admission to residential treatment: 35% of participants received baseline interview within two weeks, 52% within 30 days, and 12% within 31-60 days. About 29% of participants were in 6-month programs, 30% were in 9-month programs, and 41% were in 12-month programs .…”

A Comparison of Mothers with Co-occurring Disorders and Histories of Violence Living with or Separated from Minor Children

“…Detailed descriptive data on the total WCDVS sample of women are available in a previous paper. 51 All women were recruited from the same program locations regardless of motherhood/parenting status. Detailed information regarding the eligibility and recruitment of mothers vs. nonmothers or mothers providing care for children vs. those separated from children was not collected.…”

Advancing Trauma-Informed Systems Change in a Family Drug Treatment Court Context

“…For example, the Women, Co-Occurring Disorders and Violence Study (WCDVS), a quasi-experimental, ninesite, longitudinal study examined the prevalence of trauma among over two-thousand women with co-occurring disorders, as well as outcomes when treatment was integrated (McHugo, Krammerer et al, 2005). Results from the WCDVS found the trauma-informed framework to be a helpful paradigm, not only for understanding the complex issues facing women with cooccurring disorders, but also for improving outcomes (Amaro, Chernoff, Brown, Arévalo & Gatz, 2007;Becker et al, 2005;McHugo, Caspi et al, 2005;Savage et al, 2007). Although many of the consumers in the WCDVS study were involved in child welfare systems, extension of trauma-informed services and systems change into dependency court contexts were not explored in this body of research.…”

“…have often neglected to address trauma in the lives of adults with co-occurring disorders (Becker et al, 2005;Timko & Moos, 2002), an emerging body of literature documents the value of integrating a trauma lens in addiction treatment and mental health services. For example, the Women, Co-Occurring Disorders and Violence Study (WCDVS), a quasi-experimental, ninesite, longitudinal study examined the prevalence of trauma among over two-thousand women with co-occurring disorders, as well as outcomes when treatment was integrated (McHugo, Krammerer et al, 2005).…”