@article{ref1,
title="Gender discrimination, educational attainment, and illicit drug use among U.S. women",
journal="Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology",
year="2016",
author="Carliner, Hannah and Sarvet, Aaron L. and Gordon, Allegra R. and Hasin, Deborah S.",
volume="52",
number="3",
pages="279-289",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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). <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0933-7954",
doi="10.1007/s00127-016-1329-x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1329-x"
}