Childhood maltreatment has been linked to alcohol abuse and dependence among an adult population (Anda et al., 2002; Dube et al., 2002). In adult literature, a relatively large body of studies has reported that child maltreatment increases an individual’s risk for alcohol abuse, although current evidence is not sufficient to support this relationship among male adults who had been victims of childhood maltreatment (Dube et al., 2005; Widom & Hiller-Sturmhofel, 2001). However, few studies have examined the effect of childhood victimization on adolescent binge drinking. Examination of this association is important for understanding the common pattern of alcohol consumption among adolescents with child abuse and neglect. In addition, although researchers and practitioners have long been aware of the co-occurrence of different types of maltreatment on an individual (Banyard, 1999; Bensley et al., 1999; Felitti et al., 1998; McCauley et al., 1997; McGee et al., 1995; Rorty et al., 1994), researchers have rarely examined the joint effect of the co-occurrence of multiple categories of maltreatment on adolescent binge drinking.
