Gender differences in mental health symptoms in substance dependent patients with a history of physical and sexual abuse

Saturday, October 10, 2009: 9:50 AM-11:10 AM
Bayside B (Sheraton New Orleans Hotel)
Speaker:
Anika A. H. Alvanzo, MD, MS, Johns Hopkins University


Presentation Format:
Scientific Program Report

Description:
We explore gender differences in the relationship between physical and sexual abuse and mental health symptoms in persons in treatment for substance use disorders (SUD). Consistent with existing literature women with SUD were more likely than men with SUD to report depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. However, gender differences disappeared when the subsets of persons reporting physical abuse and sexual abuse were examined, suggesting that the detrimental effects of abuse on mental health functioning are equivalent in men and women.