Gender differences of young adults with schizophrenic disorders in community care

Gender differences were studied in the lives of 122 young adults (mean age = 23.11 years) with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-related disorders who are participants in a long-term study of progressive community care. Across the first 2 years, males who required hospitalization showed a trend toward greater recidivism and spent more time in institutions than women who required hospitalization. Women spent more time in inpatient medical settings for nonpsychiatric reasons. In community living domains, significant gender differences were found in parent roles, frequency of heterosexual relationships and behaviors, substance use, arrest rates, the number who spent time in jail, and residential settings. In the study to date, more males than females have committed suicide. We discuss specific ways in which treatment can be sensitive to these gender-relevant issues. We also note the need for future research on gender differences in schizophrenia to consider the very different community lives of men and women.