The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40189

Katharine H. McVeigh, PhD¹, Audrey Redding-Raines, MSW¹, Jon Morgenstern, PhD², Kimberly A. Blanchard, PhD³, Barbara S. McCrady, PhD⁴, and Thomas Irwin, PhD⁵. (1) Substance Abuse Research Demonstration Project, Rutgers University Center of Alcohol Studies, 24 Commerce Street, Suite 510, Newark, NJ 07102, 973-297-0620 x105, tina_mcveigh@yahoo.com, (2) The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 633 Third Ave., 19th Fl, New York, NY 10017, (3) National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia Univeristy (CASA), 633 Third Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10017, (4) Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University, 607 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, (5) Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY 10029

OBJECTIVE: To describe relationships among substance dependence, history of physical and/or sexual abuse by a family member, family history of substance abuse and mental illness, and the availability of social support from friends and family. METHOD: The Post-Traumatic Diagnostic Scale and the Addiction Severity Index were administered to 213 substance-dependent and 69 non-substance-affected female recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) in Essex County, N.J. between June 1999 and September 2000, as part of the Substance Abuse Research Demonstration Project. RESULTS: There is no significant difference between substance-dependent and non-affected women in the prevalence of physical and/or sexual abuse by a family member (30% vs. 23%). Family histories of alcohol and drug problems are more common among substance-dependent women and among non-affected women who have been abused by a family member than among non-affected women who have not been so abused. Family histories of mental illness are more common among abused women than among those who do not report abuse, regardless of substance-abuse status. Substance-dependence and a history of abuse by a family member are both negatively associated with women’s current engagement in close, long-lasting relationships, while abuse is also negatively associated with women’s lifetime history of social support. CONCLUSION: The development of interpersonal skills and access to additional social support networks may be especially important to the recovery of substance-dependent women who have also experienced physical or sexual abuse by a family member.

Learning Objectives: After viewing this poster, learners will be able to

1)Compare the prevalence of physical and sexual abuse by a family member between substance-dependent and non-substance-affected women on welfare;
• Describe the relationships between substance dependence, family history of substance abuse and mental illness, and abuse by a family member;
• Articulate differences in the need for social support between women who have experienced abuse by a family member and those who have not.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.