BACKGROUND: Inconsistent results have been found in research investigating gender differences in alcohol problems. Previous studies of gender differences used a wide range of methodological techniques, as well as limited assortments of alcohol problems. METHODS: Parents (1,348 men and 1,402 women) of twins enrolled in the Minnesota Twin Family Study answered questions about a wide range of alcohol problems. A latent trait modeling technique was used to evaluate gender differences in the probability of endorsement at the problem level and for the overall 105-problem scale. RESULTS: Of the 34 problems that showed significant gender differences, 29 were more likely to be endorsed by men than women with equivalent overall alcohol problem levels. These male-oriented symptoms included measures of heavy drinking, duration of drinking, tolerance, and acting out behaviors. Nineteen symptoms were denoted for removal to create a scale that favored neither gender in assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Significant gender differences were found in approximately one-third of the symptoms assessed and in the overall scale. Further examination of the nature of gender differences in alcohol problem symptoms should be undertaken to investigate whether a gender-neutral scale should be created or if men and women should be assessed with separate criteria for alcohol dependence and abuse.
BACKGROUND: Inconsistent results have been found in research investigating gender differences in alcohol problems. Previous studies of gender differences used a wide range of methodological techniques, as well as limited assortments of alcohol problems. METHODS: Parents (1,348 men and 1,402 women) of twins enrolled in the Minnesota Twin Family Study answered questions about a wide range of alcohol problems. A latent trait modeling technique was used to evaluate gender differences in the probability of endorsement at the problem level and for the overall 105-problem scale. RESULTS: Of the 34 problems that showed significant gender differences, 29 were more likely to be endorsed by men than women with equivalent overall alcohol problem levels. These male-oriented symptoms included measures of heavy drinking, duration of drinking, tolerance, and acting out behaviors. Nineteen symptoms were denoted for removal to create a scale that favored neither gender in assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Significant gender differences were found in approximately one-third of the symptoms assessed and in the overall scale. Further examination of the nature of gender differences in alcohol problem symptoms should be undertaken to investigate whether a gender-neutral scale should be created or if men and women should be assessed with separate criteria for alcohol dependence and abuse.
Authors: Vivia V McCutcheon; Arpana Agrawal; Andrew C Heath; Howard J Edenberg; Victor M Hesselbrock; Marc A Schuckit; John R Kramer; Kathleen K Bucholz Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2011-06-01 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Marc A Schuckit; Tom L Smith; Brinda K Rana; Lee Ann Mendoza; Dennis Clarke; Mari Kawamura Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2019-05-02 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Marc A Schuckit; Tom L Smith; Ryan S Trim; Samuel Kuperman; John Kramer; Victor Hesselbrock; Kathleen K Bucholz; John I Nurnberger; Michie Hesselbrock; Gretchen Saunders Journal: Drug Alcohol Rev Date: 2012-06-18
Authors: Lareina N La Flair; Catherine P Bradshaw; Carla L Storr; Kerry M Green; Anika A H Alvanzo; Rosa M Crum Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2012-05 Impact factor: 2.582
Authors: Jaime Derringer; Robert F Krueger; Danielle M Dick; Fazil Aliev; Richard A Grucza; Scott Saccone; Arpana Agrawal; Howard J Edenberg; Alison M Goate; Victor M Hesselbrock; John R Kramer; Peng Lin; Rosalind J Neuman; John I Nurnberger; John P Rice; Jay A Tischfield; Laura J Bierut Journal: Behav Genet Date: 2012-02-23 Impact factor: 2.805