Childhood abuse and the use of inhalants: differences by degree of use. Am J Public Health 1997 May;87(5):765-9
Date
05/01/1997Pubmed ID
9184503Pubmed Central ID
PMC1381047DOI
10.2105/ajph.87.5.765Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0030925383 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 41 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: Using two existing ethnographic studies of drug-involved adults, this study evaluates the association between child-abuse victimization and levels of involvement in inhalant use.
METHODS: Historical accounts of childhood exposure to physical or sexual abuse were compared among nonusers of inhalants (n = 197), light inhalant users (n = 64), and heavy inhalant users (n = 24). Crude and adjusted odds ratios were used to compare informants with no history of inhalant use with those having a history of light inhalant use and those having a history of heavy inhalant use.
RESULTS: Heavy inhalant use was associated with history of any child abuse (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 4.6) and physical abuse (adjusted OR = 3.8). Light inhalant use showed no association with child-abuse history.
CONCLUSIONS: Child abuse may be an important correlate of extensive involvement in inhalant use. The findings invite speculation with respect to a hypothetical causal role for child abuse in the etiology of inhalant use. The lack of support for causality in this study underscores the need for replication and more carefully designed longitudinal research.
Author List
Fendrich M, Mackesy-Amiti ME, Wislar JS, Goldstein PJAuthor
Michael Fendrich PhD Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdhesivesAdministration, Inhalation
Adolescent
Adult
Child
Child Abuse
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Infant
Male
Middle Aged
New York City
Odds Ratio
Severity of Illness Index
Solvents
Substance-Related Disorders
