A history of drug use and childhood sexual abuse among incarcerated males in a county jail.
This study explored the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and drug use among incarcerated males. A retrospective, self-reported survey was administered over an 8-week period (September and October 2001) to a random sample of 100 men who were incarcerated in a county jail. The survey included questions about childhood sexual experiences before and after puberty, drug history and use, and sexual risk-taking behaviors. Overall, 59% of this sample of male inmates reported some form of childhood sexual abuse, and all such instances occurred before or at the age of 13. Statistically significant relationships were found between drug use and childhood sexual abuse, with those who experienced childhood sexual abuse reporting drug use at percentages as much as 30% higher than those denying histories of childhood sexual abuse.
Johnson
Regina J
RJ
The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, Austin, Texas 78701-1499, USA. rjohnson@mail.nur.utexas.edu
Ross
Michael W
MW
Taylor
Wendell C
WC
Williams
Mark L
ML
Carvajal
Raul I
RI
Peters
Ronald J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003710:Demography; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013219:State Government; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires