Adverse Effect of Child Abuse Victimization Among Substance-Using Women in Treatment

• Published in: Journal of interpersonal violence Vol. 14; no. 6; pp. 657 - 670
• Main Authors: KANG, SUNG-YEON, MAGURA, STEPHEN, LAUDET, ALEXANDRE, WHITNEY, SHIRLEY
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks SAGE Publications 01-06-1999; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adult Children; Child Abuse; Child abuse & neglect; Child Neglect; Child Sexual Abuse; Childhood abuse; Childhood Factors; Cocaine; Drug abuse; Females; Mothers; New York City, New York; Outcomes of Treatment; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation Programs; Sex crimes; Sexual Abuse; Substance Abuse; Substance abusers; Treatment; Treatment Outcomes; USA; Victimization; Victims of Crime; Women
• ISSN: 0886-2605; 1552-6518
• DOI: 10.1177/088626099014006006

This study examined the adverse effect of childhood sexual/physical abuse among 171 substance-abusing women with infants or young children, who were admitted to the Family Rehabilitation Program in New York City. Approximately one half of the women (51%) self-reported ever having been sexually (24%) or physically abused (45%) in their childhood. Having a history of childhood abuse experiences, particularly sexual abuse, was associated with various areas of adult life functioning. Approximately 13 months after program admission, 82% of the sample was recontacted for follow-up. No significant associations were found between childhood abuse experiences and length of retention in services. However, several significant differences in service outcomes between sexually or physically abused women and nonabused women were found. The abused women had significantly more problems relating to drug use and psychiatric/psychological adjustment at follow-up. The findings support a need for substance dependency treatment programs tailored for women who have experienced serious childhood abuse.