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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2014 May;38(5):928-38.
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.12.007. Epub 2014 Feb 9.

The impact of childhood abuse on inpatient substance users: specific links with risky sex, aggression, and emotion dysregulation

Anne N Banducci  1 , Elana M Hoffman  2 , C W Lejuez  2 , Karestan C Koenen  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The impact of childhood abuse on inpatient substance users: specific links with risky sex, aggression, and emotion dysregulation

Anne N Banducci et al. Child Abuse Negl. 2014 May.

Abstract

Adults with substance use disorders (SUDs) report a high prevalence of childhood abuse. Research in the general population suggests specific types of abuse lead to particular negative outcomes; it is not known whether this pattern holds for adults with SUDs. We hypothesized that specific types of abuse would be associated with particular behavioral and emotional outcomes among substance users. That is, childhood sexual abuse would be associated with risky sex behaviors, childhood physical abuse with aggression, and childhood emotional abuse with emotion dysregulation. 280 inpatients (M age=43.3; 69.7% male; 88.4% African American) in substance use treatment completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), HIV Risk-Taking Behavior Scale, Addiction Severity Index, Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), and Affect Intensity and Dimensions of Affiliation Motivation (AIM). Consistent with our hypotheses, the CTQ sexual abuse subscale uniquely predicted exchanging sex for cocaine and heroin, number of arrests for prostitution, engaging in unprotected sex with a casual partner during the prior year, and experiencing low sexual arousal when sober. The physical abuse subscale uniquely predicted number of arrests for assault and weapons offenses. The emotional abuse subscale uniquely predicted the DERS total score, AIM score, and DTS score. Among substance users, different types of abuse are uniquely associated with specific negative effects. Assessment of specific abuse types among substance users may be informative in treatment planning and relapse prevention.

Keywords: Aggression; Child abuse; Emotion dysregulation; Risky sex; Substance use.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
a. Number of Arrests and Charges for Prostitution as a Function of CSA b. Frequency of Exchanging Sex for Cocaine as a Function of CSA On the y-axis, 1 = never exchanging sex for cocaine, 2 = exchanging sex for cocaine less than once per month, 3 = exchanging sex for cocaine once per month, and 4 = exchanging sex for cocaine 2–3 times per month. c. Number of Arrests/Charges for Assault as a Function of CPA d. Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Total Score as a Function of CEA e. Distress Tolerance Scale Score as a Function of Childhood Emotional Abuse
Figure 1
Figure 1
a. Number of Arrests and Charges for Prostitution as a Function of CSA b. Frequency of Exchanging Sex for Cocaine as a Function of CSA On the y-axis, 1 = never exchanging sex for cocaine, 2 = exchanging sex for cocaine less than once per month, 3 = exchanging sex for cocaine once per month, and 4 = exchanging sex for cocaine 2–3 times per month. c. Number of Arrests/Charges for Assault as a Function of CPA d. Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Total Score as a Function of CEA e. Distress Tolerance Scale Score as a Function of Childhood Emotional Abuse
Figure 1
Figure 1
a. Number of Arrests and Charges for Prostitution as a Function of CSA b. Frequency of Exchanging Sex for Cocaine as a Function of CSA On the y-axis, 1 = never exchanging sex for cocaine, 2 = exchanging sex for cocaine less than once per month, 3 = exchanging sex for cocaine once per month, and 4 = exchanging sex for cocaine 2–3 times per month. c. Number of Arrests/Charges for Assault as a Function of CPA d. Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Total Score as a Function of CEA e. Distress Tolerance Scale Score as a Function of Childhood Emotional Abuse
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