The interaction of sex-role identity and ideology conflicts with depression in women and men.

Abstract

This study explored sex-role conflict, sex-role ideology, and sex-role satisfaction in clinically depressed hospitalized women and men at a time when they were depressed and six months later to see whether improvements in their depression were associated with changes in the various scores. The results indicated that sex-role conflict as measured by the Bern Sex Role Inventory was not confined to the depressed group but was experienced by all subjects. Women scored as less traditional than men on the sex-role ideology scale although there were no significant differences between the depressed and control groups. There was some evidence that depression seemed related to a decrease in sex-role satisfaction. Resolution of depression was not correlated with changes in sex-role conflict.