The first comprehensive assessment of substance abuse and women, this report arose from an analysis of more than 1,700 scientific and technical articles, surveys, government reports and books. Results show that American women are closing the gap with men in that they are increasingly likely to abuse substances at the same rate as men. Findings…

To ensure a positive prognosis, the recovering female alcoholic requires family therapy as an adjunct to her regular treatment program. Research indicates that the characteristics affecting a person's ability to secure and use treatment include (1) predisposing factors; (2) attitudes toward alcohol and health care; (3) personal enabling factors;…

The expanding population of older women relative to older men or the "feminization of aging" is a significant demographic trend with important implications for the future. Older women are at risk for extended years of widowhood, living alone, institutionalization, poverty, and mental health problems. Although the dementias of late life appear to…

Examined whether experiences of parental violence during childhood are related to two separate adulthood problems for women: victimization by severe partner violence and the development of alcohol-related problems. Violence from both parents related to each adulthood problem, but important differences between mother violence and father violence…

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)

This manual is designed to respond to the growing interest among colleges in technical assistance for dealing with alcohol-related problems. Part One provides an overview of the dimensions of alcohol related problems and delves into the causes and prevention of alcohol problems. It outlines the Public Health Model approach to dealing with alcohol…

This leaders' guide is for use in group sessions or individual meetings with parents of girls participating in the Choices & Careers: Free to Choose program. It is based upon units the girls study, including "The Outside You,""Your Money,""Food and You,""Alcoholism,""Coping with Parents," and…

Reports on a study of 15 doctoral students who were alcoholics' daughters. It examined family origin and elementary-secondary schooling, plus data from the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test. Findings indicated that children survived by hiding their parents' problem, masquerading as normal, and actively working to avoid being discovered. (SM)

The study is a continuation of previous research into the nature and magnitude of the delinquency problem among Wind River Indian Reservation youths in Wyoming. The study is based on responses to a self-report questionnaire concerning delinquent acts, alcohol use and drug use which was administered to 9-12 grade students in high schools in the…

Judy Gobert (Blackfeet/Salish) struggled with racism and sexual abuse in childhood and with substance abuse and family violence in adulthood. Traditional spirituality, belief in education, and support groups have helped her to heal herself and create a better life for her children and herself. Describes her doctoral research on drug-resistant…

Attempted to replicate portion of Gilligan's study of moral development at Emma Willard School. Interviewed 34 Ojibwa adolescent girls. Found that, as for girls in Gilligan's study, maintaining strong relationships was as important as searching for autonomy and desire for both created conflict among Ojibwa girls. (NB)

There is little research available on binge drinking among the Aboriginal population. Between March and June 2004, 15 Aboriginal persons participated in a semi-structured interview related to their binge drinking behaviors. The majority of participants were women and described a family history of alcoholism and childhood abuse. Factors that…

Investigated the relationship among childhood sexual abuse and parental alcoholism, retrospective reports of family functioning, and having had a history of either suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. Subjects (n=420) were drawn from a sample of undergraduate college women. Results indicate the experiences of childhood sexual abuse and parental…

A 10-year study identified risk factors and measured prevalence of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and psychopathology in 523 urban American Indian adolescents and 276 urban Indian women. Describes study aims, research design, methods, sample characteristics, assessment instruments, substance use prevalence, and methodological issues related to…

A convenience sample of 100 female jail inmates was interviewed by two female clinical psychologists using measures of trauma exposure, psychopathology, sexual risk behavior, parenting skills, and perceived needs for service. Participants had high rates of lifetime trauma exposure (98%), current mental disorders (36%), and drug/alcohol problems…