Factors in childhood and youth predicting alcohol dependence and abuse in Swedish women: findings from a general population study.
The aim was to assess risk factors during childhood and youth for alcohol dependence/abuse (ADA) in a population-based study of Swedish women. A total of 316 women were interviewed after stratified random sampling in the general population and a screening questionnaire. The interviews focused on social, psychological and behaviour characteristics as well as on early substance use patterns. Alcohol diagnoses were made according to DSM-III-R and CIDI-SAM. Experiences of sexual abuse before the age of 13 years, a history of psychological or psychiatric problems, early deviant behaviour and an episode of alcohol intoxication before the age of 15 years were significantly associated with ADA in a logistic model. General indicators of low social class were not associated with increased risk of ADA in a multivariate analysis. Sexual abuse in childhood was the strongest predictor of ADA. This association has potential public health importance, and should be addressed in future studies on women and alcohol.
Spak
L
L
Department of Social Medicine, Göteborg University, Vasa Hospital, Sweden.
Spak
F
F
Allebeck
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008403:Mass Screening; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010553:Personality Development; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology