Childhood Trauma, Avoidance Coping, and Alcohol and Other Drug Use among Women in Residential and Outpatient Treatment Programs

Lori Simons, Joseph Ducette, Kimberly Kirby, Gerald Stahler, Thomas E. Shipley

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study evaluates the different types of childhood trauma, avoidance coping, and patterns of drug and alcohol use among 112 alcohol and drug abusing females in outpatient and residential treatment. A passive research design with self-report surveys was administered to female participants during treatment to assess the relationship between childhood trauma, coping methods, and alcohol and drug use. A multiple regression analysis demonstrated that women with a history of emotional abuse were more likely to engage in avoidance coping skills than those without a history of emotional abuse, which provides some support for the theory that alcohol and drug abuse may be an avoidance coping method for childhood trauma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)37-54
Number of pages18
JournalAlcoholism Treatment Quarterly
Volume21
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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