Lay Summary

(1) We assessed different traumatic experiences (TE) and their association with behavioral and substance addictions (internet, gambling, cannabis and alcohol) in a group of high school students by means of a set of questionnaires. (2) We found that intentionality/non-intentionality and the life phase in which TEs occurred may have a significant impact on the development of the selected addictions. (3) Assessing a wide range of TEs and addictions might be important in order to develop more circumscribed and well directed early clinical interventions.

Background

Traumatic experiences (TEs) are well known risk factors for the development of addictions. However, evidence considering different TEs characteristics in relation to diverse addictions is still missing. The present study aimed to explore the association between intentional and unintentional TE (i-TEs and u-TEs), occurred at different ages (childhood, adolescence and during the previous 6 months), and, cannabis, alcohol abuse, problematic use of internet (PIU) and gambling.

Methods

1010 high school students (mean age 18.7; SD=0.65) completed a set of questionnaires, evaluating addictions and TEs. The associations between TEs (independent variables) and addictions (dependent variable) was assessed by means of logistic regressions.

Results

Cannabis use was associated with u-TEs in adolescence (OR=1.9 [1.1, 3.28]) and recent i-TEs (OR=1.85 [1.01, 3.4]). Alcohol use was associated with u-TEs in adolescence and in the last six months (respectively OR=1.41 [1.07, 1.86] and OR=1.70 [1.2, 2.42]) and recent i-TEs (OR=1.42 [1.01, 2.00]). PIU was associated with i-TEs during childhood, adolescence and recently occurred (respectively OR=1.50 [1.08, 2.08]; 1.54 [1.08, 2.18] and 1.60 [1.08, 2.37]). Gambling was not associated with any TE.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that TEs represent a relevant risk factor for substance and behavioral addictions. However, uTEs and iTEs showed a complex pattern of associations with the selected outcomes. These patterns might be better explained by means of different pathways, including psychopathological mediators and moderators. These results warrant more detailed studies to assess the complex pathways leading from TEs to addictions.