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Maltreatment Clusters Among Youth in Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment: Co-Occurring Patterns of Psychiatric Symptoms and Sexual Risk Behaviors

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Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to describe the use of a brief maltreatment assessment instrument to classify adolescents receiving alcohol or other drug (AOD) treatment services based on the extensiveness and severity of prior maltreatment. This goal is significant because maltreatment reduces the effectiveness of AOD treatment and is associated significantly with co-occurring patterns of psychiatric symptoms and sexual risk behaviors. Structured interviews were administered to 300 adolescent treatment clients (202 males, 98 females; M = 16.22 years; SD = 1.13 years) to assess childhood maltreatment experiences, past year psychiatric symptoms, and sexual risk behaviors during the past 180 days. Cluster analysis classified adolescents into unique groups via self-reported sexual abuse, physical punishment, and parental neglect/negative home environment. Significant between-cluster differences in psychiatric symptoms and sexual risk behaviors were documented using MANOVA and chi-square analyses. More severe maltreatment profiles were associated with higher scores for psychiatric symptoms and unprotected intercourse. Significant heterogeneity and distinct types within this treatment sample of adolescents supports the adaptation of selected prevention efforts to promote HIV/STI risk reduction.

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Acknowledgments

The preparation of this article was supported, in part, by NIAAA Grants R01 AA13369, R01 AA14322, and R01 AA13825.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Florida International University, MARC Building, Suite 270, University Park Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Jonathan G. Tubman, Assaf Oshri & Heather L. Taylor

  2. Community-Based Intervention Research Group, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA

    Staci L. Morris

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  1. Jonathan G. Tubman
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  2. Assaf Oshri
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  3. Heather L. Taylor
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  4. Staci L. Morris
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Correspondence to Jonathan G. Tubman.

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Tubman, J.G., Oshri, A., Taylor, H.L. et al. Maltreatment Clusters Among Youth in Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment: Co-Occurring Patterns of Psychiatric Symptoms and Sexual Risk Behaviors. Arch Sex Behav 40, 301–309 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-010-9699-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-010-9699-8

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