GENDER DIFFERENCES IN MANIFESTATIONS OF ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY-DISORDER AMONG RESIDENTIAL DRUG-ABUSE TREATMENT CLIENTS

We examined gender differences in manifestations of DSM-III-R antisoci al personality disorder in 106 male and 34 female drug abusers enrolle d in residential relapse prevention/health education treatment. In chi ldhood, compared to males, females had more often run away but less of ten used weapons in fights, been cruel to animals, and set fires. Fema les also reported less vandalism. In adulthood, women had more often b een irresponsible as parents and in financial matters, engaged in pros titution, made money finding customers for prostitutes, been physicall y violent against sex partners and children, failed to plan ahead, and lacked remorse. Our findings suggest that addiction treatment program s need to consider gender differences in antisocial symptomatology in the development of individualized treatment programs for both male and female clients.