Childhood sexual and physical abuse histories, PTSD, depression, and HIV risk outcomes in women injection drug users: a potential mediating pathway

Am J Addict. 2007 Nov-Dec;16(6):431-8. doi: 10.1080/10550490701643161.

Abstract

We explored links between childhood sexual abuse (CSA), childhood physical abuse (CPA), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)/depression, and women injection drug users' (IDUs') risk in 113 women recruited from two syringe exchange sites. More than half (56%) reported CSA, 68% CPA, 23% likely were depressed-only, and 53% likely had PTSD/depression. CSA was associated with sexual (p = 0.003) and drug risk (p = 0.05); CPA was not. CSA was associated with PTSD/depression (p = 0.03); PTSD/depression was associated with sexual (p < 0.01) and drug (p < 0.03) risk. After PTSD/depression adjustment, CSA was no longer associated with sexual or drug risk. These results suggest that women IDUs' CSA-to-risk path is mediated by PTSD/depression.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology
  • Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data*
  • Comorbidity
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Needle Sharing / psychology
  • Needle Sharing / statistics & numerical data
  • Needle-Exchange Programs / statistics & numerical data
  • Odds Ratio
  • Personality Inventory
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sex Factors
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires