Childhood Sexual Abuse, PTSD, and the Functional Roles of Alcohol Use Among Women Drinkers

Abstract

The present study investigated whether a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) or current post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was associated with alcohol-related expectancies and recalled effects of drinking reported by women in substance user treatment. The results indicate that CSA status was not associated with the alcohol-related expectancies or effects of drinking reported by women in substance user treatment. However, those currently manifesting PTSD were more likely than their peers without PTSD to report greater alcohol-related expectancies of tension reduction and having experienced greater positive enhancement from drinking. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are considered.

• Human females
• Drinking behavior
• Sexual abuse
• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• Alcohol-related expectancies

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tracy L. Simpson

Tracy Simpson, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington and the Clinical Director of the Women's Trauma Recovery Program at the V.A. Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division. She has previously published on the interface between substance use-associated problems and traumatic experiences. She currently has two pilot grants designed to evaluate the feasibility of having clients with substance abuse disorders and PTSD symptomatology call an automated system to provide daily or weekly information regarding cravings, use, and PTSD symptoms.