FEMALE PCP-USING JAIL DETAINEES - PRONENESS TO VIOLENCE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES

Previous studies indicate that PCP users have different characteristic s from other drug users and that female PCP use is more common than us e among males. Furthermore, there is evidence that those who respond t o PCP with violence may differ from those who do not. This study attem pted to examine comprehensively the psychological, behavioral, and bac kground factors among female jail inmates that may contribute to a PCP preference and subjects' perception of various behavioral states whil e using PCP. Female PCP users were further examined relative to male P CP users to differentiate them on the basis of these perceptual factor s. A distinction was further made between females and males prone to P CP-induced violence and those who do not become violent with respect t o the above psychological and behavioral measures. Our results showed differences between male and female PCP users that are discrepant with the assumption that men and women perceive similar drug-related exper iences. In particular, female PCP using subjects reported more dysphor ia and aggressiveness when not using PCP, while male subjects were mor e likely to report aggressive behavior and dysphoria under the influen ce. Overall, these results suggest that males who prefer PCP may be se lf-stimulating and females who prefer PCP may be attempting to self-me dicate.