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Alcohol dependence and gender-role orientation.
A M Möller-Leimkühler1, R Schwarz, W Burtscheidt
1Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Nussbaumstr. 7, D-80336 Munich, Germany. amoeller@psy.med.uni-muenchen.de
Summary
Female alcoholism may be linked to traditional feminine roles, not role convergence. An undifferentiated self-concept appears to be a risk factor for alcohol dependence in women.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Addiction Studies
Background:
- Rising rates of female alcoholism suggest a link to changing traditional female roles.
- Hypotheses include role convergence and gender-role conflicts as contributing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the empirical utility of gender-role orientation in understanding female alcoholism.
- To explore the relationship between self-concept, gender roles, and alcohol dependence.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 112 patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence (DSM-III-R criteria) after detoxification.
- Gender-role orientation was assessed using a German version of the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire, categorizing participants into masculine, feminine, androgynous, or undifferentiated subgroups.
Main Results:
- The alcoholic sample showed a significant difference in gender-role orientation distribution compared to the general population, with 49% exhibiting an undifferentiated self-concept.
- Alcoholic females predominantly described themselves as undifferentiated and feminine rather than masculine.
- Low masculinity, low femininity, and high femininity correlated with increased distress, depression, social anxiety, insecurity, and personality disorders.
Conclusions:
- The study's findings do not support the gender-role orientation convergence hypothesis.
- A traditional feminine self-concept is supported as a non-specific risk factor for vulnerability to alcoholism.
- The potential for an undifferentiated self-concept as a specific risk factor for alcoholism requires further investigation.