Mental Health, Interpersonal Trauma, and Violent Offending in a Sample of Justice-Involved Women With Opioid Use Histories

Abstract

There is a known relationship between mental health, victimization, and perpetration of violence, yet few studies have investigated this relationship with substance-using women. The current study examined differences in psychological diagnoses, mental health symptoms, and interpersonal trauma between violent and nonviolent female offenders with opioid use histories. Findings revealed that lifetime mental health diagnoses and interpersonal trauma were uniquely associated with violent offending. Additionally, violent offending was associated with increased current mental health symptoms. These results highlight the importance of adapting treatments for women with violent offenses and substance use histories to include mental health and victimization experiences.