Exploring the Connection Between Substance Use and Mental Health in Brazilian Teens Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence

Bibliographic Data

ID21336972
AuthorsAdriana Scatena (0000-0002-4034-1251, Psychology Section, Santo André Medical Center Santo Andre Brazil), Lucas da Rosa Ferro (0000-0003-4895-8042, Department of Psychobiology Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil), Laura Soares da Silva (0000-0003-2726-4842, School of Life Sciences Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas Campinas Brazil), José Eugenio Rodríguez Fernández (0000-0002-1101-5377, Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación Universidad de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela Spain), Wanderlei Abadio De Oliveira (0000-0002-3146-8197, School of Life Sciences Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas Campinas Brazil), André Luiz Monezi Andrade (0000-0003-0111-8935, School of Life Sciences Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas Campinas Brazil, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume60
Issue6
Pagese70133-e70133
Publication date2025-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-7594 • E-ISSN: 1464-066X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ijop.70133
PMID41185155
OpenAlexW4415836443
LanguageEN
References cited28

A large study involving 129,953 adolescents (aged 13–17) examined the connection between sexual violence, substance use, and mental health. Victims of sexual violence (VSV; n = 20,492; 14.8%) and rape (RV; n = 8133; 6.5%) reported higher rates of parental or caregiver alcohol and cigarette use. These adolescents were also more likely to engage in substance use themselves, especially alcohol and illicit drugs, often beginning before age 14. They also faced increased exposure to risky behaviours like drinking with classmates and using illegal drugs. Additionally, the VSV and RV groups reported significantly higher levels of sadness, anger, suicidal thoughts, and poorer overall health. This research, based on data from a large‐scale survey conducted in Brazil, underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the complex challenges faced by adolescents who have experienced sexual violence

Injury prevention · Mental health · Poison control · Psychological intervention · Sexual violence · Substance use · Suicide prevention · Child Abuse and Trauma · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending

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Open DOIOpen Access