Gender differences in diagnosis, demographic and family characteristics,
and trauma histories among psychiatric outpatients at a Veterans Affairs
clinic were examined. Among the 51 women and 46 men, significantly more
women had affective disorders and schizoaffective disorder; significantly
more men had anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.
Although women had sharply higher rates than men of every type of trauma
except combat trauma, more male veterans received a diagnosis of
posttraumatic stress disorder. Men were four times more likely to be
married. Women were more likely than men to be the sole caretakers of minor
children. These differences have important treatment and policy
implications. The findings confirm that recently initiated VA programs
recognize important treatment needs of female veterans.
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