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Exploring the relationship between intimate partner violence, childhood abuse and psychiatric disorders among female drug users in Barcelona

Exploring the relationship between intimate partner violence, childhood abuse and psychiatric disorders among female drug users in Barcelona

Gilchrist, Gail, Blázquez, Alicia and Torrens, Marta (2012) Exploring the relationship between intimate partner violence, childhood abuse and psychiatric disorders among female drug users in Barcelona. Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 5 (2). pp. 46-58. ISSN 1757-0972 (doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/17570971211241895)

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Abstract

Purpose – This paper's aim is to examine the relationship between intimate partner violence, childhood abuse and psychiatric disorders among 118 female drug users in treatment in Barcelona, Spain.

Design/methodology/approach – Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study of the psychiatric, behavioural and social risk factors for HIV. DSM-IV disorders were assessed using the Spanish Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders; the Composite Abuse Scale assessed intimate partner violence and the Child Maltreatment History Self-Report assessed childhood physical and sexual abuse.

Findings – The odds of experiencing intimate partner violence were 2.42 times greater among those with any depressive disorder (95 per cent CI 1.13, 5.20), over three times greater for those who reported ever attempting suicide (OR 3.20; 95 per cent CI 1.29, 7.94), met criteria for borderline personality disorder (OR 3.05; 95 per cent CI 1.31, 7.11), had been abused in childhood (OR 3.38; 95 per cent CI 1.45, 7.85) or currently lived with a substance user (OR 3.74; 95 per cent CI 1.29, 10.84). In multiple logistic regression, only living with a substance user (OR 3.42; 95 per cent CI 1.08, 10.86) and a history of childhood abuse (OR 2.87; 95 per cent CI 1.05, 7.86) remained significant in the model examining intimate partner violence victimisation.

Research limitations/implications – The small sample size, together with the fact that the study was not originally powered to examine differences in intimate partner violence may have increased the possibility of type II errors.

Originality/value – Histories of psychiatric disorders, intimate partner violence and childhood abuse are common in female substance users in treatment. Research suggests that such histories result in poorer treatment outcomes. Histories of intimate partner violence and childhood abuse should be identified and addressed in substance abuse treatment to enhance treatment outcomes.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: [1] Published in Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Volume 5 issue 2, 2012 - Special Issue: Intimate partner violence and substance abuse. Guest editor: Gail Gilchrist.
Uncontrolled Keywords: female drug users, intimate partner violence, psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, cross-sectional study
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Pre-2014 Departments: School of Health & Social Care
Related URLs:
Last Modified: 14 Oct 2016 09:18
URI: http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/7125

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