Psychotropic Drug Use by Women: Characteristics of High Consumers

Abstract

One thousand one hundred and eighty-seven women were interviewed concerning their use of psychotropic medication, health and visits to physicians, use of tobacco and alcohol, and life-style and general satisfaction. Subjects were categorized as high, moderate, and non-consumers of psychotropes; respectively, 5.5%, 22.6%, and 71.9% of the sample. High drug consumers typically were older, reported being in poorer health, visited physicians more frequently (and more frequently for undefined reasons), rated themselves as more unhappy, were less well educated, were more likely unemployed, smoked more but drank less alcohol, and were more likely to have children than the moderate users or abstainers. The findings are shown to support in part the hypotheses that social and psychological problems of women are expressed vaguely and subsequently are more likely medicalized than those of men. The implications of these findings for drug prevention programs and future research are discussed.