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Gender, relationships, and crack cocaine: a content analysis
D J Henderson1, C Boyd, T Mieczkowski
1School of Nursing, University of Michigan.
Research in Nursing & Health
|August 1, 1994
Summary
Gender influences crack cocaine use contexts. Women often use in intimate relationships, while men use with friends and engage in entrepreneurship. Tailored prevention and treatment are needed.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Sociology of substance abuse
- Gender studies
Background:
- Gender differences in narcotic use impact prevention and treatment strategies.
- Limited research exists on gender-specific patterns in crack cocaine use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the relational contexts of male and female crack cocaine users.
- To identify gender-specific social and economic factors associated with crack cocaine use.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from structured interviews with 46 participants (23 women, 23 men).
- Predominantly African-American sample.
- Manifest content analysis of qualitative interview data.
Main Results:
- Women were more likely to initiate, use, and maintain crack cocaine use within intimate, opposite-sex relationships.
- Men were more likely to initiate crack cocaine use with male peers and maintain use through employment and drug sales.
- Relationships (sexual and familial) were more central to women's crack cocaine use, while entrepreneurship was more significant for men.
Conclusions:
- Significant gender differences exist in the relational contexts of crack cocaine use.
- Findings underscore the necessity for gender-sensitive approaches in substance abuse prevention and treatment.
- Interventions should consider the distinct social and economic drivers influencing male and female crack cocaine users.