Gender differences in psychiatric comorbidity among cocaine-using opiate addicts

Psychiatric comorbidity was examined for a sample of 212 methadone patients dually addicted to opiates and cocaine, focusing on gender differences. Diagnoses were determined by the SCID for DSM-III-R. Men displayed more lifetime (but not current) substance use disorders, while women displayed more lifetime and current non-substance use disorders. There were several significant interactions among psychiatric disorders and gender. Women were more likely than men to present with concurrent mood and anxiety disorders. Women with ASPD were unlikely to have alcohol use disorder, but likely to have opioid use disorder. Men with anxiety were likely to be diagnosed with ASPD. Treatment implications of the findings are discussed.     

Gender differences in psychiatric comorbidity among adolescents with substance use disorders.

The authors examined gender differences in rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders among adolescents with 1 or more psychoactive substance use disorders. Baseline diagnostic data were obtained from 135 adolescents, ages 12 to 19, and their parents-guardians, who participated in a study to develop and efficacy test Integrated Family and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder were higher among drug-abusing male adolescents compared with drug-abusing female adolescents. However, high rates of disruptive behavior disorders also characterized drug-abusing female adolescents. Similarly, drug-abusing female adolescents exhibited a higher rate of major depression compared with drug-abusing male adolescents. However, rates of dysthymia, double depression (i.e., major depression and dysthymia), and bipolar disorder were equivalent between genders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in verbal IQ—Performance IQ discrepancies among patients with schizophrenia and normal volunteers.

Substantial verbal IQ (VIQ)–performance IQ (PIQ) discrepancies may reflect brain dysfunction. The authors examined 159 patients with schizophrenia ( 115 men and 44 women) or schizoaffective disorder (25 men and 19 women) and 79 normal participants (33 men and 46 women), calculated mean VIQ–PIQ discrepancy scores by sex and diagnosis, and identified persons with large VIQ–PIQ discrepancies (15-point difference in either direction). Schizophrenic/schizoaffective men had a larger mean VIQ–PIQ discrepancy than did other groups. The proportion of all patients with either VIQ?>?PIQ or PIQ?>?VIQ ( 17.8%) was not significantly different from that of normal participants (22.8%). However, significantly more men than women with schizophrenia exhibited a VIQ–PIQ pattern (20% vs. 3.2%). No unusual discrepancy patterns were noted among normal participants. Results were interpreted in light of theories of hemisphere dysfunction in schizophrenia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences among pathological gamblers seeking treatment.

This study investigated gender differences among treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. During treatment intake, 115 pathological gamblers completed the Addiction Severity Index (ASI; A. T. McLellan et al., 1985), including a section on gambling severity, as well as the South Oaks Gambling Screen (H. R. Lesieur & S. B. Blume, 1987). When age and income were controlled, gender differences emerged in ASI gambling, alcohol, and legal scores. Men initiated gambling, began gambling regularly, tried to stop gambling, and first entered gambling treatment at a younger age than women. Women were more likely to be living with someone with a gambling or drinking problem but themselves had fewer alcohol and legal problems. Results suggest that gender differences exist in the initiation of gambling dysfunction and its psychosocial correlates. Understanding these differences may assist in developing treatments that address differential needs of male and female pathological gamblers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interpersonal types among psychiatric patients.

The aims of the study were to isolate some of the main interpersonal behavior types within a sample of nonpsychotic psychiatric patients in psychotherapy, to determine the constancy of the isolated types across the 3 subsamples of 150 cases, and to identify any systematic differences among them. Each patient was described by his therapists on the 15 factors of the Interpersonal Behavior Inventory. The 4 replicated types were (1) inhibited, submissive, abasive; (2) agreeable, nurturant, sociable; (3) hostile, mistrustful, detached; (4) dominant, competitive, exhibitionistic. Some diagnositc and occupational differences were found. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences in negative affectivity among university faculty members.

Negative affectivity (NA) and Type A behavior were assessed in a sample of 96 male and female university teachers. In general, female Ss scored lower than did male Ss on NA. The difference between men and women on the NA component of hostility was quite profound. A small yet significant Gender–TABP (Type A behavior pattern) interaction effect was found in which high Type A women exhibited less NA (principally in the form of trait anxiety) than did high Type A men. Because NA has been related to both psychological and physical health complaints, some speculations are offered concerning physical and psychological health differences between men and women (at least within university faculties). The possibility is also raised of there being different psychological and physical consequences for being high on anger and/or Type A in women vs men. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences and IQ

Ciliary ganglion (CG) neurons, like other neuronal populations, become dependent on their targets for survival during development. We have previously purified and cloned a secreted ciliary neurotrophic factor that was called growth-promoting activity (GPA). We report here the expression and purification of a highly active form of recombinant GPA, the preparation of GPA-specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and the use of these antibodies to investigate the cellular location and timing of GPA expression in tissues innervated by CG neurons. Virtually all of the trophic activity in extracts of embryonic eyes could be depleted by GPA-specific antibodies. GPA-like immunoreactivity was found in both targets of the CG: the arterial vasculature of the choroid layer and the ciliary body of the eye. In the choroid layer, GPA was localized to smooth muscle cells surrounding the choroid arteries. Staining in the choroid layer was first detectable at embryonic day (E) 10, or about 2 days after cell death has begun in the ganglion, then increased in intensity through E19. Quantification of trophic activity from whole eye extracts at various ages showed a small increase in activity observed between E9 and E12 and at least a 10-fold increase between E12 and E18. The presence of GPA protein in target cells of CG neurons during the specific developmental period when these neurons undergo cell death is consistent with its proposed function as a target-derived ciliary neurotrophic factor.     

Gender differences in psychiatric illness and treatments: a critical review

Controversy exists about the causation of gender differences long observed in the prevalence of mental disorders. Recent epidemiological, biochemical, and genetic research has shed further light upon both their etiologies and treatments. Both controversies and research are reviewed and critically examined.     

Gender differences in mathematics.

Presents examples of disparate findings to show that it is not surprising that the debate about the magnitude of gender differences in mathematics continues in both the professional and lay communities. It is suggested that the media concludes prematurely that the mathematics performance of males is higher than females. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity of the Wonderlic Personnel Test as a brief IQ measure in psychiatric patients.

100 male psychiatric inpatient referrals (mean age 41.18 yrs) for psychological testing were administered the Wonderlic Personnel Test and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised (WAIS—R) in a counterbalanced order. In this clinical context, the Wonderlic proved not to be an acceptable alternative to the WAIS—R. The tests correlated only moderately (.75), differed in mean IQ level, and agreed in IQ classification in only 40% of the cases. Efforts to improve these results by devising new IQ correction factors resulted in only slight improvements. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Avoidable mortality among psychiatric patients

Avoidable mortality is a selection of causes of death considered to be amenable to health care and thereby used as an indicator of the quality of health care. In this study avoidable mortality for more than 30,000 psychiatric patients discharged from any hospital of Stockholm County between 1981 and 1985 has been followed up in the Cause of Death Register for the period 1986-1990. Standardised rate ratios were calculated for different groups of psychiatric disorders compared to the general population of Stockholm County for indicators of avoidable mortality, suicide, other mortality ("unavoidable") and causes possibly related to treatment with psychotrophic drugs. As expected, the psychiatric patients had the most pronounced elevated risk for suicide. i.e. 6- to 24-fold compared to the general population, and noticeably more elevated for women. It is also noteworthy that the relative mortality risks for diagnoses amenable to medical interventions and potential side-effects of psychotrophic drugs are higher than for other causes of death ("unavoidable"). The relative risks for avoidable mortality were 4.7 for men and 3.8 for women and for diagnoses possibly related to side-effects of psychotrophic drugs, 7.2. The relative risks for "unavoidable" mortality were 3.4 for men and 3.2 for women. The excess avoidable mortality rates for psychiatric patients and the elevated suicide risk, especially for female patients, are warning signals of shortcomings in psychiatric care that warrants further investigation.     

Gender differences in practice patterns and income among psychologists in professional practice.

Income, an important facet of professional psychological practice, differs by gender. The potential sources of income differences among California clinical psychologists were investigated. Full-time female psychologists earned significantly less income on average than full-time male psychologists, despite similar patient demographics, caseloads, practice profiles, and payment sources. In separate regression models, professional experience increased income more for men than for women, whereas greater psychologist supply decreased income for both groups. According to the regression model, if female psychologists were paid like male psychologists, they would receive, on average, $16,440 more per year. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences in sexual attitudes.

Developed a 102-item sexual attitudes questionnaire that was completed by 439 female and 374 male undergraduates as part of a larger attitude study. Factor analyses yielded 8 factors on which 74 of the 102 items loaded. ANOVA of the individual items showed that female and male Ss differed on 73 of the 102 items. Females were more responsible, conventional, and idealistic, whereas males were more permissive, instrumental, and control- and power-oriented. The means suggested that females were moderately conservative in sexual attitudes, while males were moderately permissive. Based on the factor analysis, the present authors formed 5 preliminary sexual attitudes scales. Correlations among the summed scale scores indicated that the scales were largely independent of each other. It is suggested that the multidimensional complexity of sexual attitudes and empirical explanations for the continuing gender differences in sexual attitudes should be studied. (47 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences in moral reasoning.

Explored the possibility that socialization into different sex roles for men and women may contribute to the observed sex difference in moral development. 40 undergraduates were classified as either masculine, feminine, or androgynous according to the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and were administered the Moral Judgment Interview (MJI). For half the Ss, the central character in the MJI dilemmas was a male and for the remaining half, a female. Results reveal that males, when judging from the perspective of a female character, provided reasons for her actions congruent with the Stage 3 level of moral reasoning. However, for the same action portrayed by a male character, reasons for his behavior were in accord with Stage 4. No difference for the female judges was found between the characters of either sex. Regardless of the protagonist's sex, Ss scored at Stage 3. Ss' moral reasoning did not differ according to their sex-role classification. Males, however, held more strongly than females the belief that male decisions on morality are based on law-and-order reasoning, and female decisions are made from an emotional perspective. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences in disability and lifestyle among community-dwelling elderly stroke patients in Kitakyushu, Japan

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there were differences in lifestyle and performance of activities of daily living (ADL) between men and women in a population of elderly stroke patients. DESIGN: Case-comparison study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-eight men and 34 women who were elderly stroke patients living in the community with a spouse or family members were evaluated with the self-rating Barthel Index (SRBI), Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and a pedometer for physical activity. Control subjects, 30 men and 30 women, were assessed with the FAI. RESULTS: Among the stroke subjects, there were no significant differences in age, SRBI, motor score of the SIAS, or physical activity between men and women; however, men had significantly lower values than did women for three FIM items and the total FIM score and for 6 FAI items and the total FAI score. Among control subjects, men had significantly lower values than did women for 7 FAI items and the total FAI score (Tukey's test, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Among elderly stroke patients, men received more support from family members in ADL performance and had less active lifestyles than did women, possibly because of cultural gender roles.     

Gender differences in rates and correlates of suicidal behaviour amongst child psychiatric outpatients

A key early event of newt limb regeneration is the local dedifferentiation of cells to form dividing progenitor cells. This involves the plasticity of differentiation and the ability to re-enter the cell cycle. In culture, differentiated newt myotubes are able to re-enter S-phase in response to serum stimulation. Here, we analyzed the intracellular and extracellular requirements for this process. Cell cycle re-entry depends on the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein, which is a key regulator of the G1-S transition. This is in contrast to mammalian myotubes, which are refractory to serum stimulation and cannot phosphorylate retinoblastoma protein in response to serum. The serum factor responsible for this phosphorylation appears to be distinct from common polypeptide growth factors and is enriched in crude preparations of bovine thrombin. Fractionation and analysis of this preparation indicate that the factor is regulated by thrombin and plasmin proteolysis. These results indicate that factors involved in acute responses to wounding such as clotting may be important initiators of the regenerative response.     

Gender differences in smoking cessation.

Gender differences in smoking quit rates are frequently reported and are the subject of much speculation. This study examined the generalizability of gender differences in abstinence across study sites, treatments, and time of relapse, as well as potential mediators and moderators of gender effects. Participants were smokers who participated in 3 randomized clinical trials of the nicotine patch (N?=?632). Men had higher cessation rates than women at all follow-ups. The impact of gender on abstinence was unaffected by controlling for study site, treatment. or time of relapse. There was little evidence for mediation or moderation of this relation by any of a host of predictor variables. The magnitude and consistency of the gender differential, coupled with an inability to account for it, highlights a compelling need for additional research specifically aimed at elucidating the relation between gender and abstinence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences in cognitive development.

The potential effect of gender on intellectual abilities remains controversial. The purpose of this research was to analyze gender differences in cognitive test performance among children from continuous age groups. For this purpose, the normative data from 7 domains of the newly developed neuropsychological test battery, the Evaluación Neuropsicológica Infantil [Child Neuropsychological Assessment] (Matute, Rosselli, Ardila, & Ostrosky-Solis, 2007), were analyzed. The sample included 788 monolingual children (350 boys, 438 girls) ages 5 to 16 years from Mexico and Colombia. Gender differences were observed in oral language (language expression and language comprehension), spatial abilities (recognition of pictures seen from different angles), and visual (Object Integration Test) and tactile perceptual tasks, with boys outperforming girls in most cases, except for the tactile tasks. Gender accounted for only a very small percentage of the variance (1%–3%). Gender × Age interactions were observed for the tactile tasks only. It was concluded that gender differences during cognitive development are minimal, appear in only a small number of tests, and account for only a low percentage of the score variance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)