GENDER DIFFERENCES IN VOCATIONAL NEEDS AND OUTCOMES FOR METHADONE TREATMENT CLIENTS

Data from a pilot randomized field experiment conducted from 1990 to 1 992 in three methadone treatment programs were analyzed to examine pot ential gender differences in vocational needs and outcomes. The study data were collected from 103 female and 147 male clients who were reco mmended by their counselors or were randomly sampled from all remainin g clients enrolled in treatment. Half of each of these two groups of c lients were randomly assigned to standard treatment and half to standa rd treatment plus an experimental Training and Employment Program (TEP ). Analysis of the data indicates that (a) males and females differed significantly in terms of initial employment histories, employment sta tus, and vocational readiness; (b) males received an equal amount or m ore TEP services than females from an on-site vocational specialist; a nd (c) within the TEP condition at three months, males received more r eferrals and placement services than did females. These results sugges t that males and females have different vocational service needs and o utcomes.