Work

Linking Childhood Maltreatment to Substance Use in College Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Worth Contingencies

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigated the link between childhood maltreatment and substance use focusing on examining contingencies of self-worth (CSW) as mediators among college students (N = 513). Structural equation modeling indicated that childhood sexual abuse among females was related to lower God's love CSW, which in turn was related to higher levels of cigarette, marijuana, and other illicit drug use, supporting the mediational role of God's love CSW. Correlational analyses demonstrated that, for both male and female students, external contingency of appearance was related to higher substance use, whereas internal contingencies of God's love and virtue were related to lower substance use. The findings highlight the protective role of internal CSW in substance use among females with childhood sexual abuse.

Source: Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma

DOI: 10.1080/10926770802616399

Authors: Jungmeen Kim, Sarah Williams

Institutions: Virginia Tech, University of Louisville

Language: English

Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health