Methodological variations in measuring sex-based associations between childhood trauma and illicit substance use : a systematic review.

Abstract

Childhood trauma and illicit substance use have a demonstrated association, theorized to occur due to stress vulnerability or self-medication. Multiple factors may impact this relationship, including sex, population, and culture. Such theoretical frameworks as the diathesis-stress model and the self-medication hypothesis provide evidence for an expected difference in the relationship between childhood trauma and illicit substance use between the sexes. A systematic review methodology was employed to assess these relationships in sex-specific articles that used either the Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire or the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Results demonstrate heterogeneity of the literature as well as evidence for stronger associations for female populations than for male populations. Childhood trauma-, illicit substance-, and population-specific associations are discussed. Caution should be taken in making blanket statements about the association between childhood trauma and illicit substance use. Implications regarding treatment, prevention, and screening are discussed