Alcohol Use, Problems, and the Course of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Prospective Study of Female Crime Victims

Abstract

Objective: In this study the authors examine whether alcohol use disorder status and consequences of drinking moderate the course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over the first 6 months following trauma exposure in a sample of female victims of interpersonal violence. Methods: Female sexual and physical assault victims (N = 64) were recruited through police, hospital, and victim service agencies. Women completed structured clinical interviews and self-report measures within the first 5 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-trauma with 73% retention across all three time points (n = 47). Analyses were conducted using Hierarchical Linear Modeling using alcohol abuse/dependence, peak alcohol use, and consequences during the 30 days prior to assault as moderators of the course of PTSD over time. Results: Women with alcohol use disorder at baseline had lower initial PTSD symptoms but also less symptom recovery over time than women without alcohol use disorder. This pattern of results was also found for those with high negative drinking consequences during the month prior to the assault. Baseline alcohol use was not found to significantly moderate PTSD course over the 6 months. Conclusions: Findings suggest that negative consequences associated with alcohol use may be a risk factor for PTSD. Incorporating assessment of drinking problems for women presenting early post-trauma may be useful for identifying PTSD risk.

Keywords:

• posttraumatic stress disorder
• alcohol abuse
• rape
• crime victims
• comorbidity

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To the authors thank the women who participated in this research study, as well as the community agencies that assisted with participant recruitment. They wish to thank Nicole Fossos, Hong Ngyuen, and Neharika Chawla for their assistance in data collection, and Dr. Mary Larimer for her consultation and guidance throughout the project. Data collection and manuscript preparation was supported by grants from the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (F32AA014728, PI: Debra Kaysen) and a grant from the Alcohol Beverage Medical Research Foundation (PI: Tracy Simpson and Debra Kaysen). The content here is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the sponsors. Portions of these results were presented at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Annual Meeting (November, 2008) in Chicago, Illinois.