Child Maltreatment and the Development of Substance Use and Disorder

Course overview

This review explores the pathways linking child maltreatment to the development of substance use and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) using a developmental psychopathology framework. It outlines various vulnerabilities associated with child maltreatment and discusses prominent pathways, particularly the externalizing pathway, which shows strong empirical support. The review also touches on the emerging research around the internalizing pathway. Biological processes such as neuroendocrine mechanisms, allostatic load, and neurobiological pathways are examined to understand the underlying risks of child maltreatment. Contextual factors are also considered. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding these processes to inform developmental theories and design effective prevention and intervention programs. It concludes by proposing implications for preventive interventions and suggesting critical directions for future research in the field of child maltreatment and developmental pathways to substance use and SUD.