Despite the advances in child maltreatment research, there is still the need for comprehensive information about how abuse affects a broad range of categories of young adult functioning, and the extent to which these vary by sex. We examined the associations between child physical abuse (PA) and sexual abuse (SA) and six areas of functioning (mental health, physical health, life satisfaction, illegal substance use, alcohol problems and daily smoking).

Data were obtained from the 1983 Ontario Child Health Study and follow-up in 2000/2001 (n = 1893). Multilevel regression estimated the adjusted associations for PA (with severity) and SA with each of the outcomes. Estimates with an entire sample were presented with sex-by-abuse interactions to examine sex differences and then presented separately by sex.

In the adjusted model, severe PA and SA were associated with impairment in mental health, and both forms of PA (severe and non-severe) and SA were associated with low life satisfaction. In addition, severe PA was associated with illegal substance use. Child abuse variables were not associated with poor physical health, alcohol problems or smoking. Although sex-stratified analyses revealed different patterns, there was no significant sex difference in the integrated sample.

This is among the first community-based studies to show a strong association between child PA and SA and low life satisfaction in young adults. The abuse effects were similar for both sexes.

To identify the predictors of psychotropic medication use and to determine rates and patterns of use in Northern Ireland (NI) among the general population and various subgroups.

Analysis of data from the NI Study of Health and Stress, a representative household survey undertaken between 2004 and 2008 with 4340 individuals. Respondents were asked about prescribed psychotropic medication use in the previous 12 months along with a series of demographic questions and items regarding experience of traumatic life events. Mental health disorders were assessed using the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

Females, individuals aged 50–64 years old, those who were previously married, and those who had experienced a traumatic lifetime event were more likely to have taken any psychotropic medication. Use of any psychotropic medication in the population in the previous 12 months was 14.9%. Use among individuals who met the criteria for a 12-month mental health disorder was 38.5%. Almost one in ten individuals (9.4%) had taken an antidepressant.

Compared with other countries, NI has high proportions of individuals using psychotropic medication in both the general population and those who met the criteria for a 12-month mental disorder. However, these results still suggest possible under treatment of mental disorders in the country. In addition, rates of use in those with no disorder are relatively high. The predictors of medication use are similar to findings in other countries. Possible research and policy implications are discussed.