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

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.

RÉSUMÉ

Les stratégies d'adaptation toxicomane comme médiateur de la relation entre les symptômes du traumatisme et les conséquences de la toxicomanie chez les femmes incarcérées qui ont des antécédents d'abus sexuel pendant l'enfance

Les taux de toxicomanie et d'abus sont hauts et inquiétants parmi les femmes incarcérées. Nous avons donc considéré les stratégies d'adaptation toxicomane comme médiateur entre les symptômes du traumatisme et les conséquences de la toxicomanie dans un échantillon de survivantes de l'abus sexuel incarcérées. Les symptômes du traumatisme ont prévu la gravité des conséquences de la toxicomanie; cette relation est modérée complètement par les stratégies d'adaptation d’évitement (p. e. les stratégies d'adaptation toxicomane). En tout, les antécédents de traumatisme sont importants, mais on doit les considérer dans le contexte des comportements d'adaptation et de la toxicomanie actuelle. Les résultats peuvent promouvoir des interventions qui ciblent les tendances récurrentes d'adaptation et/ou d’évitement émotionnel parmi les survivantes du traumatisme qui ont des problèmes d'addiction.

Mots clés: conséquences de l'addiction, conséquences de la toxicomanie, stratégies d'adaptation toxicomane, symptômes du traumatisme, détenues

RESUMEN

La Relación Entre Síntomas de Trauma y Consecuencias del Uso de Sustancias en Mujeres Encarceladas y Sobrevivientes del Abuso Sexual: La Función Mediadora del Uso de Sustancias Como Estrategia de Evitación

Las tasas de consumo de sustancias y maltrato físico entre mujeres encarceladas son alarmantemente altas. Por lo tanto, examinamos si el uso de sustancias para compensar, o como estrategia de evitación, actúa como mediador de la relación entre los síntomas de trauma y las consecuencias del uso de sustancias entre un grupo de 111 mujeres encarceladas y sobrevivientes del abuso sexual. Los resultados indican que los síntomas del trauma predicen la gravedad de consecuencias del uso de sustancias, y la relación es completamente mediada por estrategias de evitación (específicamente, el uso de sustancias para compensar). En conclusión, una historia de trauma es importante pero debe examinarse en el contexto de estrategias para compensar y el consumo de sustancias. Los resultados podrían ayudar a promover intervenciones que tienen como objetivo cambiar la forma de afrontar y/o evitar emociones entre sobrevivientes de trauma con problemas de consumo de sustancias.

Palabras clave: consecuencias de uso de sustancias, el consumo de sustancias para compensar, síntomas del trauma, mujeres encarceladas

Keywords :

• substance use consequences
• substance use coping
• trauma symptoms
• female inmates

THE AUTHORS

Kia Asberg earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Florida State University and her Master's and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She completed her pre-doctoral internship in Clinical and Community Psychology at the Yale University School of Medicine in 2008, and then joined the faculty in the Department of Psychology at Western Carolina University. At WCU, Dr Asberg teaches undergraduate and graduate courses with a focus on psychopathology and evidence-based psychotherapy. She is also the Director of the Stress, Violence, Emotions, and Adjustment (SVEA) Laboratory and a Researcher (WOC) at the Charles George VAMC in Asheville, NC. Dr Asberg's primary research interest is in the general area of traumatic victimization and predictors of resilience, with additional focus on psychosocial and biological mediators of the stress–substance abuse relationship. Populations of interest to Dr Asberg and her students include incarcerated females, veterans, and families involved with child protective services.

Kimberly Renk earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of Illinois; her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Illinois State University; and her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of South Florida after completing a pre-doctoral internship in Clinical Psychology at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Dr Renk has been at the University of Central Florida since Fall 2000, where she is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology and Associate Director of Clinical Training for the Clinical Psychology PhD Program. Dr Renk's current clinical and research interests include parents’ perceptions of their children's emotional and behavioral functioning, parent–child interactions, and how the functioning of young children and their families can be shaped to promote more positive outcomes. Dr Renk and her graduate students are pursuing actively the study of these topics as part of her Understanding Children and Families Laboratory. The main goal promoted by the work of Dr Renk and her graduate students is to improve the quality of life experienced by children and their families.