Lifetime victimization and past year alcohol use in a U.S. population sample of men and women drinkers

Abstract

Background Research on alcohol use among victims of physical and sexual violence has focused mostly on women and alcohol use disorders. It is also limited by the relative lack of consideration of victimization over the lifetime and of population data on both men and women. We critically examined associations between lifetime victimization and diverse past year alcohol use patterns and problems and whether these associations differ for men and women. Methods Population data from the 2005 U.S. National Alcohol Survey (NAS11, n=6919) are reported for 4256 adult men and women drinkers. Logistic regressions assessed associations between physical only or any sexual victimization experienced over the lifetime and past year heavy episodic drinking, drinking to intoxication, alcohol-related consequences and any alcohol use disorder. Models controlled for demographics and parental history of alcohol abuse and examined interactions of gender with victimization. Results Associations between victimization experienced over the lifetime and all past year alcohol measures were significant for both men and women. These associations did not differ by type of lifetime victimization (physical only versus any sexual). The association of physical only victimization with drinking to intoxication was stronger for victimized versus non victimized women compared to victimized versus non victimized men. This gender difference ceased to be significant when specific victimization characteristics were controlled for. Conclusions Lifetime victimization is associated with increased risk for diverse alcohol use problems for both men and women. All prevention and treatment programs should screen men and women for lifetime victimization and diverse alcohol use problems.

Examining within-person and between-person effects of victimization and social risk on cannabis use among emerging adults in substance-use treatment.

“…On the contrary, other studies of clinical populations demonstrate that, although adolescent girls report more victimization, they tend to experience better substance use outcomes at follow up, compared to boys (Titus et al, 2003). Further, Nayak et al (2012) found no gender differences in in a nationally representative sample. Considering these mixed findings, it is important to further explore gender differences in the relationship between victimization and cannabis use, and between risky peers and cannabis use.…”

“…Extant studies document that physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are predictive of later substance misuse among adolescents (Finkelhor, Ormrod, & Turner, 2009; Shane, Diamond, Lynn Mensinger, Shera, & Wintersteen, 2006; Spatz Widom, Marmorstein, & Raskin White, 2006; Titus, Dennis, White, Scott, & Funk, 2003), emerging adults (EAs), and adults (Macmillan, 2001; Nayak, Lown, Bond, & Greenfield, 2012; Pahl, Brook, & Lee, 2013; Parks, Hsieh, Taggart, & Bradizza, 2014). Further, multiple forms of victimization predict heightened risk of emotion dysregulation, internalizing and externalizing problems, traumatic stress, and problematic relationships (Finkelhor et al, 2009; Spatz Widom et al, 2006; Tharp-Taylor, Haviland, & D’Amico, 2009), which can lead to later drug use problems (Ford, Elhai, Connor, & Frueh, 2010).…”

Consumo de alcohol y autoinforme de eventos violentos en Chile

“…Nayak et al (2012) analizaron una hipótesis similar a la estudiada por nosotros pero en el sentido inverso. En ese estudio, los hombres que informaron violencia física alguna vez en la vida (vs. hombres sin episodios de violencia) tenían dos veces más posibilidades (odds) de consumo intenso en el mes, 1,7 veces más posibilidades de episodios de intoxicación y 3,2 veces más posibilidades de trastornos por consumo de alcohol.…”

“…Por su parte, las mujeres que informaron algún episodio de violencia física tenían 3,2, 3,8 y 3,1 veces más posibilidades de consumo intenso, episodios de intoxicación y trastornos por consumo de alcohol, respectivamente. Cuando se analizó violencia sexual los odds ratio fueron de 2,9, 2,6 y 4,3 para las tres medidas de consumo antes mencionadas (Nayak, et al, 2012).…”

“…Además, estudios han mostrado una fuerte relación entre el consumo de alcohol y violencia en la pareja (La Flair et al, 2012;Sullivan, Ashare, Jaquier y Tennen, 2012). Respecto a la victimización, por violencia física o sexual, ya sea en hombres o mujeres, existe evidencia que está fuertemente asociada con el incremento del consumo de alcohol (Nayak, Lown, Bond y Greenfield, 2012). Si bien las vías causales que explicarían esta relación no son completamente conocidas, hay hipótesis que plantean que sería impulsada a partir del consumo de alcohol u otras drogas, por ejemplo al desinhibir la conducta y las reacciones ante estímulos negativos del ambiente (Khantzian, 1985;Pimlott-Kubiak y Cortina, 2003).…”