Gender differences in outcomes from prison-based residential treatment.

This study examines gender similarities and differences in background characteristics, the effectiveness of treatment, and the predictors of post-release outcomes among incarcerated drug-using offenders. The sample of 1,842 male and 473 female treatment and comparison subjects came from a multi-site evaluation of prison-based substance abuse treatment programs. Three-year follow-up data for recidivism and post-release drug use were analyzed using survival analysis methods. Despite the greater number of life problems among women than men, women had lower three-year recidivism rates and rates of post-release drug use than did men. For both men and women, treated subjects had longer survival times than those who were not treated. There were both similarities and differences with respect to gender and the other predictors of the two post-release outcomes. Differences in background characteristics and in factors related to post-release outcomes for men and women suggest the plausibility of gender-specific paths in the recovery process.

Impression Management Effects in the Forced Compliance Situation.

Two forced compliance studies were conducted in which the S's expectations regarding the situational appropriateness of his behavior were manipulated. In the first study (N = 36 female undergraduates) E indicated agreement or disagreement with the S's counterattitudinal essay or else did not give an opinion. Although attitude change occurred in the Agree and No Feedback groups, there was none in the Disagree condition. Three conditions were created in the second study (N = 142 male and female undergraduates): Standard Dissonance, Control, and a Model condition in which a confederate told the E his essay did not reflect his real attitude. Attitude change occurred in both experimental groups, but more occurred in the Dissonance than the Model condition. These results are interpreted in terms of impression management theory.