BIO

Darcy Sullivan is a second-year student majoring in Biochemistry. Darcy has a love for research in the STEM field, with a focus on Psychology and Chemistry topics. Darcy is from Pensacola, FL, and plans to pursue a medical career after her undergraduate studies.

The Comorbidity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Abuse Disorder and Alcohol Abuse Disorder: The Role of Minority Stress

Abstract

Substance abuse disorder (SUD), alcohol abuse disorder (AUD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which are highly comorbid conditions, cause substantial impairment and warrant research attention. A potential source of the comorbidity may be experiences of trauma, which include “minority stress” – considerable distress caused by experiences of discrimination based on historically minoritized identities. To investigate the relevance of minority stress as a shared correlate of SUD and PTSD, a path model was estimated in a sample of young adults who reported at least one minoritized identity (N = 216).

Cross-sectional data from individuals with marginalized identities were collected. Path models were estimated to examine hypothesized correlations between minority stress, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and PTSD.

The estimated path model fit well. Results support the hypothesized meaningful correlation of minority stress with drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and PTSD. Results suggest that minority stress, a consequence of experience of discrimination, may confer risk for comorbid substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and PTSD. Given such correlations, treatment that targets minority stress may be beneficial in treating minoritized individuals who present with comorbid alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and PTSD symptoms. Limitations include the cross-sectional nature of the study that precludes causal inferences.

Keywords: Psychology, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Minority Stress