Drug use, mental health and problems related to crime and violence: cross-sectional study

Author(s)

Claro, Heloisa Garcia ; Ferreira de Oliveira, Marcia Aparecida ; Bourdreaux, Janet Titus ; de Almeida Lopes Fernandes, Ivan Filipe ; Pinho, Paula Hayasi ; Tarifa, Rosana Ribeiro

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REVISTA LATINO-AMERICANA DE ENFERMAGEM; v. 23, n. 6, p. 8-pg., 2015-11-01.

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the correlation between disorders related to the use of alcohol and other drugs and symptoms of mental disorders, problems related to crime and violence and to age and gender. Methods: cross-sectional descriptive study carried out with 128 users of a Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and other Drugs, in the city of Sao Paulo, interviewed by means of the instrument entitled Global Appraisal of Individual Needs -Short Screener. Univariate and multiple linear regression models were used to verify the correlation between the variables. Results: using univariate regression models, internalizing and externalizing symptoms and problems related to crime/violence proved significant and were included in the multiple model, in which only the internalizing symptoms and problems related to crime and violence remained significant. Conclusions: there is a correlation between the severity of problems related to alcohol use and severity of mental health symptoms and crime and violence in the study sample. The results emphasize the need for an interdisciplinary and intersectional character of attention to users of alcohol and other drugs, since they live in a socially vulnerable environment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/20741-7 - Validation of the instrument "Global Appraisal of Individual Needs - INITIAL" for Brazilian use
• Grantee: Heloísa Garcia Claro Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate