Understanding short-term changes in substance use following the experience of sexual victimization among young women

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about trajectories of alcohol and cannabis use in the months immediately following sexual victimization. Utilizing a community-based longitudinal study of young women, our study investigated changes in use of alcohol and cannabis in the months immediately following experience of sexual victimization among young women. We also examined whether these changes varied based on perceived levels of social support. Methods: Our study utilized data collected monthly as part of Project Transitions, a longitudinal study with the objective of understanding influence of social role transitions on alcohol use and other behaviors among young adults in the Greater Seattle area. This current study included 85 women who reported any sexual victimization on the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES). Monthly data on alcohol and cannabis use were assessed. For the current analyses, we used data from one month prior to sexual victimization (Month -1), the month of (Month 0), and the three months following (Months 1-3). We calculated mean, standard deviation, median, and range of typical alcoholic drinks per week and days of cannabis use per month for each study month. These were calculated overall and among groups defined by social support (high vs. low based on the median) using the connectedness subscale from the Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, and Happiness Measure of Adolescent Wellbeing. To compare median levels of substance use at each month post-victimization to the reference month, we utilized the non-parametric sign test because of the non-normal distributions of the alcohol and cannabis use outcomes. Results: Average weekly drinks increased between Month -1 (Mean: 5.73 SD: 5.27; Median: 5.0; Range: 0, 34) and Month 2 (Mean: 7.59; SD: 8.74; Median: 5.0; Range: 0, 48), and then dropped down closer to baseline levels during Month 3. The difference in median typical drinks per week was statistically significant between Month 0 and Month -1 (p = 0.002). Other comparisons were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Trajectories for alcohol use differed by levels of connectedness with alcohol use peaking in Month 0 among women with low connectedness and Month 2 among those with high connectedness. Average days of cannabis use increased between Month -1 (Mean: 3.15; SD: 7.24; Median: 0.0; Range: 0, 30) and Month 2 (Mean: 5.38; SD: 9.53; Median: 0.0; Range: 0, 30), and dropped slightly at Month 3. None of the comparisons with the reference month were statistically significant (p > 0.05). Women with low connectedness generally reported higher levels of cannabis use when compared to those with high connectedness. Trajectories for cannabis use did not substantially differ by connectedness. Conclusion: Consistent with past research, we observed that alcohol and cannabis use increased following sexual victimization among adult women. We also observed differences in levels and trajectories of alcohol and cannabis use following sexual victimization based on perceived social support. Larger longitudinal studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to better understand relationships between sexual victimization and substance use trajectories and mental health outcomes as well as the role of perceived social support in their relationships.