Alcohol and psychotropic substance use in female spanish victims of intimate partner violence

  1. María Crespo 1
  2. Carmen Soberón 1
  3. Violeta Fernández-Lansac 1
  4. M. Mar Gómez-Gutiérrez 1
  1. 1 Universidad Complutense de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Complutense de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR 02p0gd045

Journal:
Psicothema

ISSN: 0214-9915

Year of publication: 2017

Volume: 29

Issue: 2

Pages: 191-196

Type: Article

DOI: 10.7334/PSICOTHEMA2016.212 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Psicothema

Abstract

Background: Studies show high use of alcohol among American women who are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), but not in Spanish victims. This study examines hazardous drinking, use of psychotropic substances, and the relationship with psychopathological symptoms in Spanish women who are victims of IPV. Method: 50 battered women and 50 control women from general population were assessed. Results: Hazardous drinking in women victims of IPV (18.4% and 24.5%) was higher than in previous Spanish studies, and lower than in controls (no significant difference). Women victims of IPV showed a significantly higher use of psychotropic medication than controls (40% vs. 20%). For women victims of IPV, psychopathological symptoms were not related to use of alcohol, but use of psychotropic medication was related to post-traumatic arousal. Conclusions: Results suggest that Spanish women victims of IPV may resort to psychotropic medication rather than alcohol to cope with their symptoms.

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Funding information

This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (project PSI2012-31952) and by grants from the Complutense University at Madrid to V. Fern?ndez-Lansac (2011-2015) and C. Sober?n (2016-2020). We also give our thanks to all of the women who were included in this study and to the Beccaria Association for Assistance to Victims and the Progressist Women Federation for their help in gaining access to the abused women in the experimental group.

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