Body image and sex-role stereotype as features of addiction in women.
Research with women addicted to alcohol or to opiates shows low body esteem and a negative view of the female role to be characteristics of this group. The present study examines the relation between body and role attitudes. When measures of each were compared with a control group of nonaddicted women, the addicted group was shown to hold significantly more negative attitudes, although socioeconomic status proved to be a confounding factor. The hypothesis that drug-taking behavior may be more likely when a woman perceives both her body and her sex role negatively was supported. Because a difference was found between the groups in the use of fantasy, it was speculated that treatment measures for addicted women might be more effective if this difference were considered.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007062:Identification, Psychological; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012923:Social Class; D013240:Stereotyping; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*