Hamilton Alison B, Grella Christine E
UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
J Women Aging. 2009;21(2):111-24. doi: 10.1080/08952840902837129.
This purpose of this study was to explore the following question: Are there gender differences among older individuals with a history of heroin addiction with regard to social and family relationships and health problems?
Eight gender-specific focus groups were conducted with 38 (19 women, 19 men) older (50+ years) individuals with long-term histories of heroin dependence. Four groups were conducted in a methadone maintenance (MM) clinic and four groups were derived from the Los Angeles community.
Modest gender differences were observed, but mainly in the focus-group dynamics. Women typically described the impact of their addiction on their families, while men typically described their surprise at still being alive. Hepatitis C was the primary health concern in all groups; mental health issues were also discussed.
Remarkable gender differences were not apparent in the qualitative experiences of these participants. Instead, we found overriding similarities related to the interactive effects of drug use and aging. Longitudinal studies of this population as they age and interact with the health-care system and other social systems will help to untangle the complicated relationship between aging, drug addiction, gender, and health.
本研究旨在探讨以下问题：有海洛因成瘾史的老年人在社会和家庭关系以及健康问题方面是否存在性别差异？
对38名（19名女性，19名男性）年龄较大（50岁及以上）且有长期海洛因依赖史的个体进行了8个针对性别的焦点小组访谈。其中4个小组在美沙酮维持治疗（MM）诊所进行，另外4个小组来自洛杉矶社区。
观察到了适度的性别差异，但主要体现在焦点小组的动态过程中。女性通常描述她们的成瘾行为对家庭的影响，而男性通常描述对自己还活着感到惊讶。丙型肝炎是所有小组主要关注的健康问题；心理健康问题也被提及。
在这些参与者的定性经历中，明显的性别差异并不明显。相反，我们发现与药物使用和衰老的交互作用相关的压倒性相似之处。随着这群人年龄增长并与医疗保健系统及其他社会系统相互作用而开展的纵向研究，将有助于理清衰老、药物成瘾、性别和健康之间的复杂关系。
