Gender Differences in Psychosocial Functioning Across Substance Abuse Treatment

Abstract

The present study investigated gender differences in psychosocial functioning among clients mandated to substance abuse treatment. In the current study, 210 probationers' self reports of depression, anxiety, self esteem, decision-making, life beliefs, role modeling, cooperation, and AIDS risky behavior were gathered. Ratings were collected at intake as well as midway and toward the end of the residential phase of treatment. A series of growth curve models were used to examine changes in psychosocial functioning across these time periods. Improvements were recorded in several areas of psychosocial functioning over the course of treatment (including anxiety, depression, self esteem, decision-making, role modeling, and life beliefs). Importantly, significant gender by time interactions indicated that females showed greater rates of change than their male counterparts in such areas as self esteem, decision-making, and role modeling. The importance of psychosocial change and the implications of these gender differences are discussed.

Hope and Recovery From Substance Abuse for Female Drug Offenders in Taiwan

“…Fourth, previous research indicated a strong linkage between self-esteem and hope (Frieson & Frieson, 1997), and self-esteem was found to have an important role as a preventer of substance usage (Dodge & Potocky, 2000;Gutierres & Puymbroeck, 2006;Lewis et al, 2007;Nyamathi et al, 2001;Rao et al, 2009;Rowan-Szal et al, 2009;Stein et al, 2002;Tucker et al, 2005). Thus, one of our goals for this study was to reboot female drug offenders' self-esteem through the hope-based treatment program.…”

“…Furthermore, low self-esteem was found to be a strong risk factor for suicidal thought (Wilke, 2004), depression (MacInnes, 2006, and substance use relapse (Grella et al, 2003). Enhancing individuals' self-esteem can serve as a key factor to increase hope (Frieson & Frieson, 1997) and prevent individuals from turning to substance usage or feeling depression (Dodge & Potocky, 2000;Gutierres & Puymbroeck, 2006;Lewis, Phillippi, & Neighbors, 2007;Nyamathi et al, 2001;Rao, Czuchry, & Dansereau, 2009;Stein, Leslie, & Nyamathi, 2002;Tucker et al, 2005). This has been found to be true for women in homeless shelters (Stein et al, 2002;Tucker et al, 2005) and for female drug offenders as well (Rowan-Szal, Joe, Simpson, Greener, & Vance, 2009).…”

Psychosocial functioning among inmates in prison-based drug treatment: results from Project BRITE

“…Drug-dependent females entering treatment have been shown to have higher levels of depression and anxiety (psychological functioning; Chatham, Hiller, & Rowan-Szal, 1999), and among the participants in this study females did score higher on all baseline BSI measures. With respect to treatment outcomes, Rao, Czuchry, and Dansereau (2009) found that females improved significantly more than males on measures of psychosocial functioning over the course of treatment and suggested that this may be due to females responding more positively to features of treatment curricula that encourage openness and engagement in the treatment experience and their personal recovery. Project BRITE was designed to be just such a treatment enhancement for both males and females, and, notwithstanding the noted limitations, there was some evidence that the use of positive behavioral reinforcement may be efficacious in complementing the treatment process and enhancing treatment effectiveness.…”

Multidimensional Change in Therapeutic Communities for Addictions: The Interplay Between Participant Characteristics, Perceptions of the TC Treatment Process and Time in Treatment

“…Third, change in clients' perception of TC treatment process over time is likely to be associated with changes in levels of psychological distress. Several studies have documented progress in psychological functioning during (Egelko et al, 2002;Guydish et al, 1999;McGovern, Guida, & Corey, 2002;Rao, Czuchry, & Dansereau, 2009;Ravenna et al, 2002) and post TC treatment (Sacks, McKendrick, Sacks, & Cleland, 2010), but little is known about whether change in psychological well-being also affects participants' perceptions of TC treatment process over time.…”