Physical Abuse, Sexual Victimization, and Marijuana/Hashish and Cocaine Use Over Time: A Structural Analysis Among a Cohort of High Risk Youths

• NCJ Number: 128269
• Journal: Journal of Prison and Jail Health Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (1990) Pages: 13-43
• Author(s): R Dembo; L Williams; L La Voie; E Berry; A Getreu; J Kern; L Genung; J Schmeidler; E D Wish; J Mayo
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 31 pages
• Grant Number(s): 86-IJ-CX-0050; 87-JN-CX-0008
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored; OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

Interviews were conducted with 399 youths who entered a Florida regional detention center in 1986 and 1987; follow up interviews were held between 11 and 15 months following their initial interview. Structural analyses are performed on the data to determine the relationship between the subjects' physical abuse and sexual victimization experiences and drug use.

Abstract

The interviews included questions on demographic factors, referral history, physical abuse, sexual victimization, self-derogation, and illicit drug use. The results, which were valid across gender groups, revealed that sexual victimization was related to the use of marijuana/hashish during the follow up period, while physical abuse was related to cocaine use over time. These longitudinal relationships remained valid even when prior drug use was taken into consideration. Drug prevention efforts must focus on troubled youths as well as their families. 2 tables, 4 figures, and 66 references.