Traumatic experiences and re-victimization of female inmates undergoing treatment for substance abuse

Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy

Gabriela Saldívar¹  Martha Romero¹  Paloma Zea²  Bertha Mejía² 

[1] Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Camino a Xochimilco 101. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan 14370, D. F, México;Monte Fénix. Las Flores 439. San Angel Inn. Delegación Alvaro, Delegación Alvaro Obregón 01060, D. F, México

关键词: Traumatic experiences;    Substance abuse;    Prison;    Women;   

Others  :  1135447
DOI  :  10.1186/1747-597X-10-5

 received in 2014-04-15, accepted in 2015-01-21,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

In the past decade, several studies have focused on the treatment needs of female inmates with substance abuse problems. An important finding has been that these women are more likely to report histories of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse-at rates varying from 77% to 90%. The trauma resulting from this kind of abuse is a key contributing factor in behavioral problems in adolescence and subsequent delinquency, substance abuse, and criminality in adulthood.

Methods

This was a retrospective clinical study. A convenience sample of 112 women who entered the program’s treatment groups consecutively for one year form part of the study. Information on traumatic events was obtained using some questions from the Initial Trauma Review. It explores whether the participant experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, disasters, automobile accidents, or witnessed violence under the age of 18. It also examines experiences as an adult, including sexual and physical abuse, attacks by others who are not intimate partners, and abuse by authorities.

Results

Revictimization in sexual abuse was found in 78.1% of participants. Significant differences were identified between women who had experienced a traumatic sexual event from a person five years their senior before the age of 18 and then suffered from sexual violence as an adult, and women who had never undergone either of these events (x² = 11.3, df 112/1, p = <.001). In physical abuse, the figure was 82.17%. Differences were observed between women who were revictimized through physical abuse before and after the age of 18 (x² = 5.91, df 112/1, p = <.01), and those who had not experienced any kind of revictimization. Significant differences were found between women who had suffered a traumatic sexual event as a child and subsequently physical violence from their parents, and women who had not undergone either of these events (x² = 3.48, df 112/1, p = <.05).

Conclusions

Investment in treatment in these areas during the prison sentence and after release may contribute to preventing these women from become repeat offenders. Creating sources of work and halfway houses that continue the program to prevent relapses into substance use can help defend the human rights of this group of women and achieve social justice.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Mejía et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

【 图 表 】

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