Studies show that the percentage of women in the United States who drink, has remained stable over the last several decades. However, patterns in female drinking have changed, indicating a trend toward higher rates of heavy/frequent drinking among young women. Negative attitudes toward female intoxication still prevail and a double standard…

Administered Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test to subjects over age 18. Among late adolescents (aged 18 to 20), lonely females had highest mean scores, indicating higher degree of alcoholism risk than lonely males and nonlonely subjects. For males, loneliness appeared to increase alcoholism risk, not in late adolescence, but during early…

Investigates familial alcoholism effects and the comparative probability of risk that adult children of alcoholics have for alcohol dependence. Results, based on a national survey of 12,686 young adults over a five-year period, show that the risk for alcoholism is relatively greater for males than females. (MKA)

Examined personality characteristics of first-time (n=174) and repeat (n=64) driving while intoxicated offenders. Found that repeat offenders differed significantly from first-time offenders on 12 of 24 personality characteristics, were less expressive emotionally, and were less flexible in ways of finding stimulation; however, self-reported…

Examined 547 college students' adjustment. Results indicated significant main effects for gender but not for alcoholic parentage. Gender differences occurred for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and other problems. Findings suggested that, in terms of adjustment, college students from alcoholic homes should not be distinguished from the general…

Little attention has been paid to college women's drinking. For women, drinking is often a way of making friends and establishing intimate relationships. Peer influence is a strong persuader. College women who are careless in using alcohol may encounter additional problems like increased stress, depression, and sexual dysfunction. (SM)

This study compared how alcohol effect expectancies and reaction expectancies related to one another and to male and female college students' drinking behavior. Analyses indicated that different types and patterns of expectancies were gender specific. Discusses results in terms of the nature of gender/expectancy/drinking relationships. (RJM)

Compared the personality characteristics of late adolescent and young adult children of alcoholics (COAs) with those of their peers, examining gender specificity in personality differences. COA respondents, particularly women, and especially women with alcoholic fathers, were more likely to report greater self-depreciation. Male COAs rated…

Researchers surveyed 78 clients in drug abuse treatment facilities to determine their perceptions regarding factors related to their use and abuse of drugs. About 40% of the sample began using drugs between 11 and 15 years of age. Males tended to begin using drugs at an earlier age than did females. Over 90% of participants reported using drugs…

Compares opinions of students from secondary, vocational, and technicums technical schools in the USSR on why Soviet students drink alcohol. Reasons include companionship, celebrations, curiosity, and imitation. Investigates gender differences. Underscores student naivete about alcohol's effects. Indicates discrepancies between students' stated…