Substance abuse in women: relationship between chemical dependency of women and past reports of physical and/or sexual abuse

Int J Addict. 1989 Aug;24(8):739-54. doi: 10.3109/10826088909047310.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to describe a group of chemically dependent females who were involved with the criminal justice system and note if they reported histories of physical/sexual abuse. Data for this study were obtained from Andersen's 1986 research project funded by the Michigan Department of Corrections and Wayne State University. The findings showed that 19.7% reported histories of sexual abuse and that 27% reported histories of physical/sexual abuse prior to incarceration. These findings suggest a need for a sexual assessment tool and for further research on the relationships of sexual/physical abuse and chemical dependency.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology*