Do male and female adolescents differ in the effect of individual and family characteristics on their use of psychotropic drugs?

Abstract

This study assesses the effects of individual and family characteristics on psychotropic drug use among male and female adolescents. The sample included 2,396 subjects attending two middle schools and two high schools.

Associations of social and material deprivation with tobacco, alcohol, and psychotropic drug use, and gender: a population-based study

“…With regard to perceived income, subjects were asked whether they considered themselves: comfortable or well off, earning just enough, coping but with difficulties, or getting into debt. Psychotropic drug use was determined by asking whether respondents had frequently taken medication (prescribed and/or non-prescribed) for headache, tiredness, nervousness or anxiety, or insomnia over the previous year (Yes/No) [8,18,43]. Deprivation was defined by the number of positive responses to the following seven criteria: low educational level (primary school), manual worker, unemployed, living alone, nationality other than western European, low income (coping, but with difficulties, or getting into debt), and not being a home-owner [28,30].…”

“…Risk patterns also vary according to occupational group. Women suffer more from mental disorders than do men[25,42,43], and are more likely to take psychotropic drugs under medical supervision [1,17], to be given them following a medical consultation, to receive longer courses, and to renew the treatment [44]. …”

School injury and gender differentials: a prospective cohort study

“…The quality of the completed questionnaires was very good (non-responses for various items <4%). As previously mentioned, all factors studied were validated and had been used elsewhere [26,33,34,36]. The items used to assess personality were chosen for their simplicity and because they have been associated with increased risk of accidents and with tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use [33,34,36].…”

Aspectos familiares de meninas adolescentes dependentes de álcool e drogas

“…Em estudo recente, Baumann et al 5 relatam que, em relação à dependência de medicamentos psicotrópicos (para alívio de dor de cabeça, insônia, ansiedade, cansaço e nervosismo), além de as meninas fazerem maior uso que os meninos, há associação desse uso com quespsychological rather than physical abuse while boys suffer more from physical abuse. Notably, support from older female siblings is a protective factor against substance abuse in girls.…”