 Childhood abuse and the use of inhalants: Differences by degree of useM. Fendrich, M.E. Mackesy-Amiti, J.S. Wislar and P.J. Goldstein American Journal of Public Health, 1997, vol. 87, issue 5, 765-769 Abstract: Objectives. Using two existing ethnographic studies of drug-involved adults, this study evaluates the association between child-abuse victimization and levels of involvement in inhalant use. Methods. Historical accounts of childhood exposure to physical or sexual abuse were compared among nonusers of inhalants (n = 197), light inhalant users (n = 64), and heavy inhalant users (n = 24). Crude and adjusted odds ratios were used to compare informants with no history of inhalant use with those having a history of light inhalant use and those having a history of heavy inhalant use. Results. Heavy inhalant use was associated with history of any child abuse (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 4.6) and physical abuse (adjusted OR = 3.8). Light inhalant use showed no association with child-abuse history. Conclusions. Child abuse may be an important correlate of extensive involvement in inhalant use. The findings invite speculation with respect to a hypothetical causal role for child abuse in the etiology of inhalant use. The lack of support for causality in this study underscores the need for replication and more carefully designed longitudinal research. Date: 1997 There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it. Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1997:87:5:765-769_9 Access Statistics for this article American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association |
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