Decreased risk of alcohol dependence and/or misuse in women with high self-assertiveness and leadership abilities.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse dimensions of gender identity and its association to psychiatric disorders and alcohol consumption.


METHODS
The study was performed in two stages: an initial screening (n = 8335) for alcohol consumption, followed by a structured psychiatric interview (n = 1054). The Masculinity/Femininity-Questionnaire was used as an indicator of gender identity. The final study group included 836 women.


RESULTS
Leadership, caring, self-assertiveness and emotionality were dimensions of gender identity found in a factor analysis. Low self-assertiveness, high emotionality and to some extent low leadership were associated with increased odds for having bipolar disorders, severe anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence and misuse. Low self-assertiveness and high emotionality were not only associated with alcohol dependence and misuse, but also with high episodic drinking.


CONCLUSIONS
There was an association between some of the dimensions of gender identity and psychiatric disorders and alcohol consumption. Further attention is needed in both clinical work and research.
Hensing
G
G
Department of Social Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Box 453, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
Spak
F
F
Thundal
K L
KL
Ostlund
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D001242:Assertiveness; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden