Online Program

333653
Association between history of childhood adverse experiences and suicidal ideation and attempts among community recruited substance using women


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

Krishna Vaddiparti, PhD, MPE, MSW, Department of Epidemiology/Colleges of Public Health and Health Professions and Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Linda Cottler, PhD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Purpose: To examine the association between history of childhood physical and sexual abuse and self-reported suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) among 843 substance using women.

Methods: women recruited from two community based HIV prevention studies (NIAAA funded, Sister-to-Sister, and NIDA funded, Women Teaching Women).  The Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule assessed SI and SA. We stratified women into three groups: Both SI and SA (SISA+), either SI or SA (SI/SA) and, neither (SISA-). The Violence Exposure Questionnaire assessed physical and sexual abuse before age 15.

Findings: Women were predominantly African American (80%), and 35.7 years (± 8.8); 53% had no SI or SA, 27% had both SI and SA and 20% had either SI or SA. SISA + women were more likely than SI/SA and SISA- women to have ever drunk 20 or more drinks in one day (57% vs. 39% vs. 37% p<0.0001) and meet criteria for DSM-IV cocaine dependence (62% vs. 58% vs. 44% p<0.0001). Likewise, SISA+ women were more likely than SI/SA and SISA- women to report, being beaten severely by a parent/legal guardian before age 15 (22% vs. 8% vs. 4% p<0.0001), to be forced to have sex by someone (43% vs. 33% vs. 17% p<0.0001),  being forcibly kissed or touched by someone  (60% vs. 48% vs. 23% p<0.0001) or forced to kiss or touch someone against their will (49% vs. 39% vs. 17% p<0.0001).

Implications: Assessment of suicide risk among women with histories of childhood physical and sexual abuse is crucial for preventive interventions.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Epidemiology
Other professions or practice related to public health
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the association between histories of childhood physical and sexual abuse experiences and later suicide ideation and attempts among substance using women.

Keyword(s): Suicide, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a trained Psychiatric Social Worker and Psychiatric Epidemiologist with several years of mental health clinical experience. I have been researching issues related to experiences of violence and victimization and their adverse mental health consequences among women, specifically substance using women. I have published and presented in this area.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.