Using a Developmental-Relational Approach to Understand the Impact of Interpersonal Violence in Women Who Struggle with Substance Use

Naomi C. Z. Andrews, Mary Motz, Bianca C. Bondi, Margaret Leslie and Debra J. Pepler
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Naomi C. Z. Andrews: Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University,1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
Mary Motz: Mothercraft, Early Intervention Department, 860 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1C9, Canada
Bianca C. Bondi: Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Margaret Leslie: Mothercraft, Early Intervention Department, 860 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1C9, Canada
Debra J. Pepler: Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: Substance use among women is a major public health concern. This review article takes a developmental-relational approach to examine processes through which early relational trauma and violence in relationships may lead to substance use. We examine how early exposure to violence in relationships can impact neurological development, specifically through interference with physiological mechanisms (e.g., the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), brain structure and functioning (e.g., the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex), and neuropsychological development (e.g., executive functioning and emotion regulation) across the lifespan. Further, we discuss the impact of exposure to violence on the development of relational capacity, including attachment, internal working models, and subsequent interpersonal relationships across the lifespan, and how these developmental pathways can lead to continued problematic substance use in women.

Keywords: interpersonal violence; domestic violence; substance use; intervention; women; developmental-relational; gender-specific approach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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