Citation

Kaysen D, Dillworth TM, Simpson T, Waldrop A, Larimer ME, Resick PA. Addict. Behav. 2007; 32(6): 1272-1283.

Affiliation

Center for Trauma Recovery, University of Missouri-St. Louis, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.09.007

PMID

17098370

PMCID

PMC1902810

Abstract

Alcohol use is frequently associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in the face of chronic traumatic experiences. However, the relationship between alcohol use and symptoms associated with chronic trauma exposure has not been evaluated. This study examined alcohol use in recently battered women (N=369). Differences were found in trauma symptoms between abstainers, moderate drinkers, and heavy drinkers, with heavy drinkers reporting more severe symptoms. Mediational analyses suggest that the relationship between drinking and trauma symptoms is mediated by drinking to cope, which has not been previously demonstrated in a battered population. Results suggest the importance of assessing trauma symptoms and motives for drinking in understanding alcohol use in recent survivors of domestic violence.

Language: en