Pathways to Adolescent Substance Use Among Sexually Abused Girls

Abstract

This study examined the link between childhood sexual abuse and adolescent substance use among girls, and evaluated depressive self-concept and behavioral under-control (BUC) as pathways to substance use for sexually abused girls. Participants (n = 150) were drawn from a longitudinal study of the impact of domestic violence on the lives of women and children. Structural equation modeling revealed that girls' childhood sexual abuse was associated prospectively with their later substance use. This relationship persisted when age, co-occurring forms of child abuse (physical, exposure to domestic violence), childhood depression and aggression, family income, maternal substance use, and parenting practices were controlled. Behavioral under-control mediated the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and later substance use, but depressive self-concept did not. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Moving ahead: Five essential elements for working effectively with girls

“…For example, sexual abuse has been found to lead to more detrimental effects for girls later in life. Girls who were sexually abused were significantly more likely than boys to be arrested for a violent offense and to develop psychiatric disorders or substance abuse in adulthood (Bailey & McCloskey, 2005;Herrera & McCloskey, 2003). Additionally, although lack of emotional bonding with parents creates risk for boys, studies have found stronger correlations between lack of emotional bonding with parents and substance abuse for girls (Kakar, Friedemann, & Peck, 2002).…”

Abuse of psychoactive substances among adolescent

“…Ova veza je bila stalna kada su faktori poput starosti, ostalih oblika zlostavljanja ( zičkog, izloženosti nasilju u porodici), depresije i agresije u detinjstvu, porodičnih prihoda i upotrebe psihoaktivnih supstanci od strane njihovih majki bili kontrolisani. 19 …”

An Investigation of the Relationship Between Maltreatment and Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Use Among African-American and Hispanic Adolescent Girls

“…These two studies considered the mental health effects of maltreatment on adolescents. Experiences of maltreatment have been consistently reported in the literature to have myriad impacts on psychological functioning (e.g., Bailey & McCloskey, 2005;Lipschitz, Rasmusson, Anyan, Cromwell, & Southwick, 2000;Titus, Dennis, White, Scott, & Funk, 2003). Until recently, much of the extant research regarding maltreatment and trauma symptoms had been situated in the adult literature, comprising retrospective self-reports of childhood maltreatment incidents.…”

“…With regard to types of maltreatment experienced, girls are more likely to be sexually abused than boys (Clark, Lesnick, & Hegedus, 1997;Kilpatrick et al, 2000;Bailey & McCloskey, 2005). The DHHS reported that girls are as high as 4 times more likely to be sexually abused as boys (DHHS, 2001).…”

“…Maltreatment experienced in childhood or adolescence is a known risk factor for later alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) problems (Bailey & McCloskey, 2005;Shin, Edwards, Heeren, 2009). Currently, the prevalence of AOD use and maltreatment among adolescents are issues of growing public health concern for many researchers and treatment professionals.…”