Biomedical subjects

L S Wallisch

Publications and source records attributed to L S Wallisch.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Problem gamblers, problem substance users, and dual-problem individuals: an epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared problem gamblers, problem substance users, dual-problem individuals, and persons without these problems in the general population. METHODS: On the basis of computer-assisted telephone interviews of a random sample of Texas adults (n = 6308) standard instruments were used to gauge substance use and gambling problems in the general population. RESULTS: Compared with those having a substance use or gambling problem only, dual-problem individuals were more likely to be young, never-married men, without conventional religious affiliations. There was more dysfunctionality (as evidenced by treatment-seeking and problems with the law) among dual-problem respondents than among those troubled exclusively by gambling or substance use problems. CONCLUSIONS: Screening and treatment for gambling problems should be offered in drug treatment and criminal justice arenas.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Gender differences of young adults with schizophrenic disorders in community care.

Gender differences were studied in the lives of 122 young adults (mean age = 23.11 years) with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-related disorders who are participants in a long-term study of progressive community care. Across the first 2 years, males who required hospitalization showed a trend toward greater recidivism and spent more time in institutions than women who required hospitalization. Women spent more time in inpatient medical settings for nonpsychiatric reasons. In community living domains, significant gender differences were found in parent roles, frequency of heterosexual relationships and behaviors, substance use, arrest rates, the number who spent time in jail, and residential settings. In the study to date, more males than females have committed suicide. We discuss specific ways in which treatment can be sensitive to these gender-relevant issues. We also note the need for future research on gender differences in schizophrenia to consider the very different community lives of men and women.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Substance use in young adults with schizophrenic disorders.

Use of nonprescribed mood altering substances is pervasive and problematic in young adults with serious mental illnesses in community care. Fifty-eight percent of young adult clients with clearly defined schizophrenia or schizophrenia-related disorders participating in a long-term community treatment study were rated by staff or themselves as using alcohol, cannabis, or other street drugs several times a week or more. We interviewed in depth a random sample of these "significant users" to obtain their perspective on their frequencies, patterns, histories, contributing factors to, and effects of substance use and their related treatment experiences. Results revealed these clients' substance use to be of long duration and deeply entrenched, with current use often involving multiple substances including both street drugs and substances of "everyday life" (e.g., caffeine, nicotine). Clients reported compelling reasons for use including anxiety reduction, relief of boredom, and a means for social contact. Staff and clients clearly view substance use quite differently, with the latter focusing at least as much on consequences of symptom relief as symptom exacerbation. Treatment implications are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Medicaid cutoff and abortion services for the poor.

Since 1977, the Hyde Amendment's restrictions on federal funding of abortions have prevented poor women from obtaining abortions through the federal Medicaid program. This article describes research undertaken to determine the impact of these restrictions on low-income women. Patients who had Medicaid-funded abortions at a clinic in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1977 (when Medicaid funding of abortions was available) were compared with Medicaid-eligible patients who had abortions at the same clinic in 1982 (when public funding of abortions was allowed only if the woman's life would be endangered by continuation of the pregnancy). Their experiences were also compared with those of higher income women attending the same clinic in both years. Finally, some of the 1982 patients were interviewed in 1983 to determine how they went about raising the money that they needed to pay for their abortions. In 1977, Medicaid-eligible patients experienced no delay in obtaining abortions compared with other women, even when demographic differences are considered. However, in 1982, they were significantly delayed; on average, the Medicaid-eligible women who were delayed had abortions 2-3 weeks later than the others. Fifty percent of patients eligible for Medicaid in 1982 had abortions at 10 weeks of gestation or later, compared with 37 percent in 1977. Medicaid-eligible women who were interviewed in depth had abortions about a week later than the other women. Increased delays occurred both between their first suspicion of pregnancy and their pregnancy test and between their decision to have an abortion and the procedure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abortion, Induced↗