Substance Use Coping as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Trauma Symptoms and Substance Use Consequences Among Incarcerated Females With Childhood Sexual Abuse Histories

    Authors

    K. Asberg;K. Renk

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Subst. Use Misuse

    Keywords

    substance use consequences; substance use coping; trauma symptoms; female inmates; POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER; GENDER-DIFFERENCES; PTSD SYMPTOMS; DRUG-USE; ALCOHOL-PROBLEMS; PRISON-INMATES; MENTAL-HEALTH; WOMEN; ASSAULT; VICTIMIZATION; Substance Abuse; Psychiatry; Psychology

    Abstract

    Rates of substance use and maltreatment are alarmingly high among incarcerated women. Although the direct link between trauma and substance use has been established, less is known about potential mediators. Thus, we examined substance use coping as a mediator between trauma symptoms and substance use consequences among a sample of incarcerated females (N = 111) who were survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Trauma symptoms predicted the severity of substance use consequences, with this relationship being mediated fully by avoidance coping (e.g., using substances to cope). Overall, trauma histories are important in predicting outcomes but must be examined in the context of current coping behaviors and substance use. Findings (data collected in 2007/2008) may help promote interventions that target patterns of coping and/or emotional avoidance among trauma survivors with substance use problems in incarcerated populations. The study's limitations are noted.

    Journal Title

    Substance Use & Misuse

    Volume

    47

    Issue/Number

    7

    Publication Date

    1-1-2012

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    799

    Last Page

    808

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000303332500004

    ISSN

    1082-6084

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