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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 3/2017

01-03-2017 | Original Paper

Gender discrimination, educational attainment, and illicit drug use among U.S. women

Authors: Hannah Carliner, Aaron L. Sarvet, Allegra R. Gordon, Deborah S. Hasin

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 3/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

While gender inequality has been a topic of concern for decades, little is known about the relationship between gender discrimination and illicit drug use. Further, whether this association varies by education level is unknown.

Methods

Among 19,209 women participants in Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (2004–2005), we used logistic regression to test the association between gender discrimination (measured with four items from the Experiences of Discrimination instrument) and three outcomes: past-year illicit drug use, frequent drug use, and drug use disorders. We then tested whether associations differed by education level.

Results

Gender discrimination was reported by 9% of women and was associated with past-year drug use [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.67; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.17–3.29], frequent drug use (aOR = 2.82; CI 1.99–4.00), and past-year drug use disorders (aOR = 3.15; CI 2.16–4.61). All specific domains of gender discrimination (on the job, in public, with institutions, being called a sexist name) were associated with all drug use outcomes. The association between gender discrimination and past-year drug use was stronger among women with less than a high school education (aOR = 6.33; CI 3.38–11.85) compared to those with more education (aOR = 2.45; CI 1.97–3.04; p interaction < 0.01).

Conclusions

Gender discrimination is consistently and strongly associated with illicit drug use and drug use disorders among U.S. women, with significantly higher odds for drug use among women with less than a high school education. Future research should examine whether explicitly addressing distress from discrimination could benefit women in drug treatment, especially among clients with lower educational attainment.
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Metadata
Title
Gender discrimination, educational attainment, and illicit drug use among U.S. women
Authors
Hannah Carliner
Aaron L. Sarvet
Allegra R. Gordon
Deborah S. Hasin
Publication date
01-03-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1329-x

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