Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111551

Sheryl Pimlott Kubiak, PhD, Social Work, Wayne State University, Thompson Home, 4756 Cass Ave., Detroit, MI 48202, 313 577 4402, spk@wayne.edu, Carol Boyd, PhD, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Lane Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, and Lilia Cortina, PhD, Psychology, University of Michigan, 550 East University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

The majority of American adults have experienced interpersonal aggression at some point during their lifetimes. These aggressive acts include emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and their psychological and somatic sequelae vary widely. One well-documented outcome is the increased use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol. Comparatively less research has focused on prescription drug abuse or overuse as a potential outcome of victimization. Our goal was to examine the connection between exposure to interpersonal aggression over the life course and use of psychoactive prescription drugs. Cluster analysis was performed on data from the National Violence Against Women Survey (8,000 men & 8,000 women) assessing history of child physical abuse, adult physical abuse, emotional abuse, stalking, and lifetime sexual assault. Eight unique cluster groups were created representing various degrees of exposure – from none to multiple forms of victimization. Assessment of the use of antidepressants, analgesics and sedatives in the last month found that those in the high exposure groups were far more likely to use each of the drugs compared to those in the no or minimal exposure clusters. Individuals who experienced multiple victimizations including sexual assault, were 35 times more likely than the no exposure group to report use of all three drug types during the past month. This issue is particularly timely given the recent rise in the use, misuse, and addiction of prescription drugs. Medical professionals can facilitate these patients' access to mental health resources by conducting thorough screenings and making referrals to trauma specialists when appropriate.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the relationship between exposure to interpersonal aggression across the lifespan and use of antidepressants, analgesics and sedatives.
• Identify specific individual level risk factors associated with poly pharmaceutical use within certain victimization profiles.
• Articulate a process for screening/assessment of exposure to aggressive events in primary health care settings.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Prevention, Adult and Child Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.