SEX-ROLE STEREOTYPES AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT - HOW THERAPISTS VIEW THEIR ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS

In the course of a selection procedure for inpatient treatment in an a ddiction clinic, it was repeatedly noticed that the attitude of staff- members towards male alcoholics was more confronting and critical as c ompared to a more empathic and supportive attitude towards female alco holics. Two different processes may account for this phenomenon. First ly, male and female alcoholics may differ in their interpersonal behav iour towards therapists, and subsequently these different behaviours e voke different attitudes and behaviours in therapists (interaction-hyp othesis). Secondly, these different attitudes towards male and female patients may emerge from preconceived ideas among therapists about mal e and female alcoholics (stereotype-hypothesis). This study describes the stereotypes held by therapists regarding the interpersonal behavio ur of male and female alcoholics. Furthermore, it explores the influen ce of self perceived interpersonal behaviour of therapists on these st ereotypes. The results suggest, that the differences in attitude and b ehaviour to wards alcoholics are - at least partly-the result of diffe rent male and female alcoholic stereotypes held by therapists. These s tereotypes were related to the self perceived interpersonal behaviour of the therapist. Pretreatment matching of patients and therapists sho uld be based on interpersonal attitude rather than on sex.