Traumatic life-events and alcohol and drug use disorders among Mexican adolescents: Bidirectional associations over 8 years

Abstract

BackgroundMost research linking type of traumatic events to the incidence of alcohol and drug use disorders among adolescents are cross-sectional and no longitudinal research exists in low/middle income countries where violence is common. Studies on bidirectional associations are infrequent. MethodsWe estimated prospective associations of 7 types of events and new occurrence of DSM-IV alcohol use disorders (AUD) and drug use disorders (DUD), as well as prospective associations between DSM-IV AUD, DUD and the new onset of 7 types of traumatic events, from a follow-up conducted in 2013 (n = 1071; ages 19–26) of the original Mexican Adolescent Mental Health Survey conducted in 2005 (ages 12–17), by using Relative Ratios (RR) and Hazard Ratios (HR) estimates. ResultsAfter adjustments for mental disorders and demographics, “any traumatic event” increased the RR and HR of a new AUD and any substance use disorder (SUD). In HR estimates, bidirectional associations were found between “Ever committed or witnessed violence” and “Ever beaten up by spouse…” and AUD, DUD and SUD. DUD disorder increased HR for several events. LimitationsOur sample is representative of the largest metropolitan area in Mexico but does not include other cities and other age groups that may differ in risk factors. Corrections for multiple tests suggests caution. ConclusionsWe found partial support for the self-medication hypothesis and weaker support for the risky behavior hypothesis, and only two traumatic events (“Ever beaten up by spouse, partner…” and “Ever committed or witnessed violence”) showed evidence of a bidirectional association.