PTSD as a mediator between childhood rape and alcohol use in adult women

Abstract

Objective: Though a relationship between childhood sexual abuse and later alcohol use among women has been documented, little is known about the pathways that link these two variables. A tension reduction hypothesis posits that emotional distress precedes substance usage. PTSD symptomatology resulting from childhood sexual abuse is examined as a possible source of emotional distress that may cause subsequent alcohol use. Method: A sample of adult women was selected and interviewed on two occasions 1 year apart and childhood rape history, lifetime PTSD symptoms, and lifetime alcohol use were assessed. Path analytic techniques were used to evaluate the mediating role of PTSD symptoms on the relationship between childhood rape and subsequent alcohol use. Results: A history of childhood rape doubled the number of alcohol abuse symptoms that women experienced in adulthood Path analysis and cross-validation results demonstrated significant pathways connecting childhood rape to PTSD symptoms and PTSD symptoms to alcohol use. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that PTSD symptomatology which develops after childhood rape may be one of many variables that affect alcohol abuse patterns in women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse.