Childhood Sexual Abuse, PTSD, and the Functional Roles of Alcohol Use Among Women Drinkers

The results indicate that CSA status was not associated with the alcohol-related expectancies or effects of drinking reported by women in substance user treatment, but those currently manifesting PTSD were more likely than their peers without PTSD to report greater alcohol- related expectancies of tension reduction and having experienced greater positive enhancement from drinking.

Abstract

The present study investigated whether a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) or current post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was associated with alcohol-related expectancies and recalled effects of drinking reported by women in substance user treatment. The results indicate that CSA status was not associated with the alcohol-related expectancies or effects of drinking reported by women in substance user treatment. However, those currently manifesting PTSD were more likely than their peers without PTSD to report greater alcohol-related expectancies of tension reduction and having experienced greater positive enhancement from drinking. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are considered.