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. 2013;13(3):10.1080/1533256X.2013.814483.
doi: 10.1080/1533256X.2013.814483.

Child Maltreatment and Adult Substance Abuse: The Role of Memory

Laura Elwyn  1 , Carolyn Smith
Affiliations

Child Maltreatment and Adult Substance Abuse: The Role of Memory

Laura Elwyn et al. J Soc Work Pract Addict. 2013.

Abstract

Child maltreatment is a risk factor for substance abuse in adulthood. This study examines whether memory of maltreatment is a necessary link in the path leading from prospectively measured childhood maltreatment to adult substance use problems. Official Child Protective Services reports and adult retrospective recall of childhood maltreatment were used to predict illegal drug use and alcohol problems in adulthood controlling for covariates. Memory was a necessary link in the path between prospective reports of maltreatment and alcohol problems, and an important link in the path between prospective reports and illegal drug use. Implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.

Keywords: Child maltreatment; alcohol problems; illegal drug use; memory; prospective measurement; retrospective measurement.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Path Model of Illegal Drug Use
Figure 2
Figure 2
Path Model of Alcohol Problems
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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