SEX DIFFERENCES AMONG THE LONG-TERM MENTALLY DISABLED

Although the "chronically mentally ill" have become a subject of national concern and although differences among the young, old, and minorities have been recognized, sex differences have been largely ignored. The authors describe the experientially determined problems of long-term mentally disabled women. Research is presented from a review of 320 hospital records of patients served in seven community and state hospitals throughout Michigan, encompassing client variables and service information. Significant sex differences were found for client age, marital status, living arrangement, diagnosis, functioning level, voluntary/involuntary status, admission information, medications, medical care and destination post-discharge. Many of the results confirm stereotypes of sex differences in institutionalized populations (age, diagnosis, and so forth). Other results, such as more women living independently and no sex differences in violent behaviors, are contrary to popular assumptions. Using case studies, the authors further discuss the important issues suggested by the results, e.g., why women become psychiatric patients, discharge planning, and over-medications. A plea is made for a greater amount and intensity of research on women with long-term mental disabilities.