Citation

Davis TA, Carr ER, Hickman E, Rosenberg A, Kaslow NJ. Ment. Health Subst. Use 2014; 7(4): 286-298.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17523281.2013.865663

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Robust data document the strong association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and problematic alcohol use in female psychiatric patients. Reasons for this frequent co-morbidity remain unclear, highlighting the value of investigating factors common to both disorders to gain additional clarity. The current study examined whether the psychosocial factor, life stress, mediated the link between PTSD symptomatology and alcohol use in a sample of African-American women from low-income backgrounds with a history of intimate partner violence and suicidality (n = 143). Bootstrapping analysis demonstrated that life stress fully mediated the effect of PTSD symptoms on alcohol use. Consistent with the self-medication hypothesis of addiction, our findings indicate that life stress may be a causal mechanism in the development of subsequent alcohol problems among women with existing PTSD symptomatology. Prevention and treatment implications concerning the target population are discussed. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; PTSD; stress; suicide attempt; suicidal behavior; comorbidity; posttraumatic stress disorder; African American; substance abuse; alcohol abuse; alcohol consumption; major clinical study; social psychology; self medication; partner violence; Article; personal experience; life stress; bootstrapping; African-American women