Substance use by women using domestic violence shelters.
This study investigated the connections between stressors, substance use, and experience of violence among women (N = 125) who accessed help from domestic violence shelters in British Columbia, Canada between October 2001 and June 2003. Changes in substance use and stressors following a shelter stay were explored, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Women generally decreased their use of alcohol and stimulants, and this change was found to be integrally connected to social and structural supports made available to them. Future research that augments current stress models of addiction by considering social and structural factors that come into play in women's substance use and domestic violence is suggested. The study's limitations are noted.
Poole
Nancy
N
British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. npoole@cw.bc.ca
Greaves
Lorraine
L
Jategaonkar
Natasha
N
McCullough
Lucy
L
Chabot
Cathy
C
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011638:Public Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013240:Stereotyping; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health