Mental Health Problems and Alcohol Abuse: Co-Occurrence and Gender Differences.

MENTAL health; ALCOHOLISM; SEX differences (Biology); PEOPLE with intellectual disabilities; SUBSTANCE abuse; ALCOHOL drinking

A growing body of research has demonstrated that alcohol abuse co-occurs with a broad range of mental health problems. To date, however, there is a scarcity of data concerning the co-occurrence of alcohol abuse and other problems in people who seek mental health outpatient services and, consequently, about gender differences among them. The present study surveyed 376 clients receiving outpatient services at a mental health center. Results demonstrate that women self-reported significantly more psychophysiological distress and family pathology and men reported more community problems and health concerns. Men drank significantly more than women, were more likely to have had problem with alcohol over the past year,m and were more likely to have been treated for substance abuse. For both men and women, the level of alcohol consumption varied directly with the severity of psychophysiological symptoms and community and health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Health & Social Work is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)