Abstract
Background: Child maltreatment (CM) is a significant public health concern with long-term consequences for the child, including an increased likelihood of engaging in risky health behaviors, such as substance use, as well as impaired quality of life (QoL). The relationship between CM and specific substance use patterns, particularly the use of nicotine products such as Swedish snus, remains understudied. We investigated the relationship between CM and the use of nicotine and alcohol, as well as whether use of these substances mediates the association between CM and adulthood QoL.Methods: This study utilized data from the Norwegian Counties Public Health Survey for Agder in 2023. Latent regression analysis was employed to examine the association between CM and QoL, as well as potential mediated associations involving substance use, while controlling for sociodemographic factors.Results: Nicotine use in the past year was significantly more prevalent among individuals with a history of CM compared to the group with no history of CM (35.8% vs. 25.6%, p < 0.001). Both smoking (24.3% vs. 15.6%, p < 0.001) and snus use (17.6% vs. 13.3%, p < 0.001) were more common in the CM group, with differences remaining significant after adjustment for sociodemographic factors. No significant differences were found in alcohol use across various measures, including frequency of use, AUDIT-C scores, and binge drinking. Latent regression analysis showed that CM had an overall negative association with QoL [β = −0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.71, −0.51; p < 0.001]. A significant mediated association involving nicotine use was also observed (β = −0.12; 95% CI −0.16, −0.07; p < 0.001).Conclusion: CM is associated with a higher prevalence of smoking and snus use, which are negatively associated with QoL. The findings suggest that targeted efforts to support QoL among individuals with a history of CM, including attention to nicotine use, may be relevant within broader strategies addressing living conditions and psychological wellbeing.
Citation
Grimsland F, Gabrielsen KB, Clausen T, Haugland SH and Vederhus J-K (2026) Child maltreatment and substance use: associations with alcohol use, nicotine use, and quality of life in a Norwegian population sample. Front. Public Health 14:1821179. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1821179