ABSTRACT
This research investigates the type of and extent to which additional problematic experiences and behaviors are associated with a history of both substance misuse and childhood sexual abuse. In a recent study of women undergraduate students, 30 years and older, 15 disclosed a history of problematic alcohol and/or drug use. Of these, 10 had experienced sexual trauma as children; five had not. This report compares these two subsamples with respect to problematic experiences and behavior. Implications for counseling and research are discussed.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse, Sexual/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Adult , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Alcoholism/psychology , Child , Child Abuse, Sexual/psychology , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , Louisiana/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Risk Factors , Students/psychology , Students/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
A study of the general college experience of 44 female undergraduates, 30 years of age and older, revealed a high prevalence of childhood sexual abuse. The impact of this abuse on these women and the meaning of higher education in resolving the negative sequelae of their earlier traumatic experiences are examined, and implications for counseling are discussed.
