title: Domestic violence and alcohol use: trauma-related symptoms and motives for drinking.
abstract: Alcohol use is frequently associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in the face of chronic traumatic experiences. However, the relationship between alcohol use and symptoms associated with chronic trauma exposure has not been evaluated. This study examined alcohol use in recently battered women (N=369). Differences were found in trauma symptoms between abstainers, moderate drinkers, and heavy drinkers, with heavy drinkers reporting more severe symptoms. Mediational analyses suggest that the relationship between drinking and trauma symptoms is mediated by drinking to cope, which has not been previously demonstrated in a battered population. Results suggest the importance of assessing trauma symptoms and motives for drinking in understanding alcohol use in recent survivors of domestic violence.
authors.affiliation: Center for Trauma Recovery, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA. dkaysen@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaysen
authors.forename: Tiara M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Dillworth
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waldrop
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Larimer
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Resick
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires