Family violence and risk of substance use among Mexican adolescents

Abstract Objective Determine the relationship between psychological and physical violence, exerted by fathers and/or mothers, and inter- or extra-familiar sexual violence with risk for consuming tobacco, alcohol and drugs among adolescents. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out with students in two secondary schools in Mexico City. A total of 936 students participated: 54.3% males and 45.7% females, ranging between 12 and 16 years of age. A self-administered questionnaire was applied. This included Straus’ Parent–Child Conflict Tactics Scales, as well as instruments to evaluate sexual violence and substance use, among other components. Results Over half of the adolescents reported psychological or physical violence exerted by their parents, and 1 in 10, sexual violence. The proportion of use of the 3 substances was similar in both sexes. Logistic regression analysis for males showed that psychological violence, exerted by either parent, implied twice the risk for the victims to use tobacco. For males, having suffered sexual violence increased the risk of consuming drugs various times. For females, being a victim of multiple forms of violence within the family increased the risk of consuming tobacco, alcohol and drugs notably, in comparison to non-victims. Conclusions Treatment programs for young people who have suffered family violence should consider adolescence not only as a stage of vulnerability for substance use but also as a critical time to implement preventive measures. For these measures, a joint strategy for both parents and adolescents should be considered, not only to stop the violence but also warn the parents about the serious consequences of the same.