ABSTRACT
The relationship between alcohol and self-destructive behaviour has been studied extensively, but few investigators have subjected the issue of causality to empirical test (e.g. Whitehead 1972; Frankel et al. 1976; Maris 1981); even fewer have tried to specify the conditions of the relationship (e.g. Rushing 1968). Sex differences are often reported, but rarely has the effect of gender on the relationship been the central research question. There is good reason to believe that the relationship between alcohol and selfdestructive behaviour varies by sex. Women are less likely than men to drink, to drink heavily and to be diagnosed as alcoholic (Ferrence 1980). Rates of suicide are invariably higher for men, in part because of the more lethal methods they use. Non-fatal self-injury occurs more frequently among women in the general population, at least in part a reflection of their greater use of prescribed psychoactive drugs (Cooperstock 1973). Because sanctions against deviant behaviour are stronger for women than men, alcohol consumption, alcoholism and self-destructive acts may be under-reported more for women than men. The purpose of this paper is to address the following issues related to sex differences in the prevalence and reporting of alcohol-related self-destructive behaviour:
1. Does alcohol involvement in self-destructive behaviour vary by sex? 2. Does the reporting of alcohol involvement in self-destructive behaviour vary
by sex? 3. Do the causes of alcohol-related suicide and self-injury vary by sex? 4. Can the findings for self-destructive behaviour be generalised to other
alcohol-related casualties?
