CHILDHOOD ABUSE AS A RISK FOR PARTNER ABUSE AMONG WOMEN IN METHADONE-MAINTENANCE

This study examines the relationship between childhood abuse and partn er abuse among a sample of predominantly African-American and Hispanic women, who were patients in methadone clinics in Harlem and the South Bronx. A structured questionnaire addressing demographics, psychosoci al and physical health characteristics, depression, childhood abuse, a nd domestic violence was administered to 151 women. Over half of the w omen (60%, n = 98) reported lifetime physical, life-threatening, or se xual abuse by a spouse or boyfriend. Multiple logistic regression anal ysis was used to assess the associations between childhood physical ab use and abuse by a spouse or boyfriend and between childhood sexual ab use and abuse by a spouse or boyfriend. After controlling for potentia l confounders, women who reported childhood physical abuse were almost nine times more likely to report having been abused by a spouse or bo yfriend (OR = 8.74, CI, = 3.25 to 23.57). Women who reported childhood sexual abuse were almost four times more likely to report having been abused by a spouse or boyfriend (OR = 3.93, CI = 1.46 to 10.59). Depr ession and need for social support were significantly associated with partner abuse, while current heroin use was inversely associated with partner abuse. The high rate of domestic violence and the strong assoc iation between childhood and partner abuse found in this study suggest areas for intervention in chemical dependency among women.