Gender Differences In Depressive Symptoms Research Articles

Relevancia del estatus menopáusico en las diferencias en salud mental entre mujeres y hombres

The objective of this study is to examine differences between men and women in self-esteem and depressive, somatic and anxiety symptoms when studying the relevance of menopausal status and age in such differences. Research design was a cross-sectional survey of a general population sample of 1341 (n = 726 women and n = 615 men) adults of different ages and, in the case of women, with different menopausal status. Participants responded to Goldberg General Health Questionnaire and Rector and Roger Self-esteem questionnaire. Results showed that women had more anxiety and somatic symptoms than men. Gender differences in depressive symptoms and self-esteem were not found in younger participants, although women over 40 showed more depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem than men of similar ages. Intra-gender analysis indicated that younger men had more depressive symptoms and less self-esteem than those over 40, whereas these differences were not observed in the women sample. Differences among women were only observed in relation with their diverse menopausal status in somatic symptoms, these latter being greater in perimenopausal than in premenopausal women. These results make clear that menopause has little relevance in gender differences in mental health.

Racial/ethnic and gender differences in the association between depressive symptoms and higher body mass index.

The study investigated the socio-demographic differences in the association between depressive symptoms and higher body mass index (BMI). In Genesee County, Michigan, random samples of households were drawn from all residential census tracts. The Speak to Your Health! Survey was administered among adults aged 18 years and older in these households. To conduct this cross-sectional study, data from three waves of survey data collection (2007, 2009 and 2011) were combined resulting in a sample of 3381 adults. Self-reported height and weight were used to calculate BMI. Depressive symptoms were assessed with Brief Symptoms Inventory items. Socio-demographic factors included age, race/ethnicity, gender and education. Using stepwise linear regression, gender (β = 0.04, P = 0.02) and the interaction terms of race/ethnicity × depressive symptoms (β = 0.15, P < 0.001) and gender × depressive symptoms (β = 0.05, P = 0.01) uniquely predicted BMI. Women had a higher BMI than men, and depressive symptoms were more strongly associated with BMI among African Americans and women than among non-Latino Whites and men. Tailored interventions to alleviate depressive symptoms in African Americans and females may help decrease racial/ethnic and gender differences in depressive symptoms and obesity.

Gender differences in depression severity and symptoms across depressive sub-types

BackgroundLifetime rates of depression are distinctly higher in women reflecting both real and artefactual influences. Most prevalence studies quantifying a female preponderance have examined severity-based diagnostic groups such as major depression or dysthymia. We examined gender differences across three depressive sub-type conditions using four differing measures to determine whether any gender differences emerge more from severity or symptom prevalence, reflect nuances of the particular measure, or whether depressive sub-type is influential. MethodsA large clinical sample was recruited. Patients completed two severity-weighted depression measures: the Depression in the Medically Ill 10 (DMI-10) and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) and two measures weighting symptoms and illness correlates of melancholic and non-melancholic depressive disorders - the Severity of Depressive Symptoms (SDS) and Sydney Melancholia Prototype Index (SMPI). Analyses were undertaken of three diagnostic groups comprising those with unipolar melancholic, unipolar non-melancholic and bipolar depressive conditions. ResultsWomen in the two unipolar groups scored only marginally (and non-significantly) higher than men on the depression severity measures. Women in the bipolar depression group, did however, score significantly higher than men on depression severity. On measures weighted to assessing melancholic and non-melancholic symptoms, there were relatively few gender differences identified in the melancholic and non-melancholic sub-sets, while more gender differences were quantified in the bipolar sub-set. The symptoms most commonly and consistently differentiating by gender were those assessing appetite/weight change and psychomotor disturbance. ConclusionOur analyses of several measures and the minimal differentiation of depressive symptoms and symptom severity argues against any female preponderance in unipolar depression being contributed to distinctly by these depression rating measures. Our analyses indicated that gender had minimal if any impact on depression severity estimates. Gender differences in depressive symptoms and severity were more distinctive in bipolar patients, a finding seemingly not previously identified or reported. LimitationsThe study had considerable power reflecting large sample sizes and thus risks assigning significant differences where none truly exist, although we repeated analyses after controlling for the type I error rate.

Gender Differences in Deliberate Self-Poisoning in Hungary

The suicide rate in Hungary is one of the highest in the European Union, with a male-female ratio of 3.55:1. Suicide rates correlate positively with suicide attempts, for which depression is the most frequent underlying disorder. The aim of this qualitative study was to examine gender differences in suicide attempts, with a focus on the effect of precipitating factors on depression. Semistructured interviews were conducted among 150 suicide attempters. Data on circumstances, reason, and method of attempt were recorded. Patients completed the Shortened Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale, and the Social Support Questionnaire. Interpersonal conflict was found to be the most frequent precipitating factor. There were significant gender differences in depressive symptoms among patients with interpersonal conflicts. We found differences in depressive symptoms according to presence or absence of interpersonal conflicts among men, but not among women. Male suicide attempters who indicated interpersonal conflicts had lower levels of depression. Depressive symptoms are frequent among suicide attempters. However, a subgroup of male attempters reporting interpersonal conflicts are characterized by a lower level of depression. This subgroup of attempters would probably not be detected with depression screening programs and may have an unmet need for other forms of screening and prevention.

DEBATE: ATTENUATED PSYCHOSIS SYNDROME IS A NEEDED DIAGNOSTIC CATEGORY

Lifetime rates of depression are distinctly higher in women reflecting both real and artefactual influences. Most prevalence studies quantifying a female preponderance have examined severity-based diagnostic groups such as major depression or dysthymia. We examined gender differences across three depressive sub-type conditions using four differing measures to determine whether any gender differences emerge more from severity or symptom prevalence, reflect nuances of the particular measure, or whether depressive sub-type is influential.A large clinical sample was recruited. Patients completed two severity-weighted depression measures: the Depression in the Medically Ill 10 (DMI-10) and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) and two measures weighting symptoms and illness correlates of melancholic and non-melancholic depressive disorders - the Severity of Depressive Symptoms (SDS) and Sydney Melancholia Prototype Index (SMPI). Analyses were undertaken of three diagnostic groups comprising those with unipolar melancholic, unipolar non-melancholic and bipolar depressive conditions.Women in the two unipolar groups scored only marginally (and non-significantly) higher than men on the depression severity measures. Women in the bipolar depression group, did however, score significantly higher than men on depression severity. On measures weighted to assessing melancholic and non-melancholic symptoms, there were relatively few gender differences identified in the melancholic and non-melancholic sub-sets, while more gender differences were quantified in the bipolar sub-set. The symptoms most commonly and consistently differentiating by gender were those assessing appetite/weight change and psychomotor disturbance.Our analyses of several measures and the minimal differentiation of depressive symptoms and symptom severity argues against any female preponderance in unipolar depression being contributed to distinctly by these depression rating measures. Our analyses indicated that gender had minimal if any impact on depression severity estimates. Gender differences in depressive symptoms and severity were more distinctive in bipolar patients, a finding seemingly not previously identified or reported.The study had considerable power reflecting large sample sizes and thus risks assigning significant differences where none truly exist, although we repeated analyses after controlling for the type I error rate.

Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms in U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Background: This study aims to explore gender differences in depressive symptoms in U.S. Chinese older adults. Methods: Data were from the PINE study, a population-based study of U.S. Chinese older adults aged 60 years and above. The PHQ-9 was used to measure depressive symptoms. Results: Depressive symptoms were more prevalent in U.S. Chinese older women (59.2%) than in older men (48.5%). Older women were more likely to present somatic depressive symptoms and to develop moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Older age ( r = 0.09, P r = 0.07, P r = 0.34, P r = 0.17, P r = 0.23, P Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need for developing tailored interventions for depressive symptoms in the subgroup of U.S. Chinese older adults. Further longitudinal studies should be conducted to better understand gender differences in risk factors and outcomes associated with depressive symptoms in U.S. Chinese older adults.

Toward understanding the role of body dissatisfaction in the gender differences in depressive symptoms and disordered eating: A longitudinal study during adolescence

This study was aimed at examining whether body dissatisfaction in early adolescence contributes to the development of gender differences in depressive symptoms and disordered eating across early to mid-adolescence, testing both a mediation hypothesis (higher levels of body dissatisfaction in girls, provided body dissatisfaction is a predictor of psychopathology beyond the effect of gender) and a moderation hypothesis (more detrimental effect of body dissatisfaction in girls). A community-based sample initially comprising 882 (49.55% female) adolescents (Mage = 12.85) was followed-up after 2 and 4 years. Multilevel models were used to analyze the data. Results supported the mediation hypothesis for depressive symptoms and disordered eating, and the moderation hypothesis for disordered eating. Whereas gender differences in depressive symptoms may be simply linked to dissimilar levels of body dissatisfaction in girls and boys, gender differences in disordered eating may arise from both dissimilar levels and effects of body dissatisfaction for each gender.

Widowhood and Depression: New Light on Gender Differences, Selection, and Psychological Adjustment

To document short- and long-term trajectories of depressive symptoms following widowhood and to test whether these trajectories vary by gender and anticipatory spousal loss. Eight waves of prospective panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, over a 14-year period, are used to evaluate gender differences in depressive symptoms following widowhood in late midlife. Short-term trajectories are modeled using a linear regression of change in Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) score on duration of widowhood. Long-term trajectories are modeled using a mixed-effects hierarchical linear model of CES-D scores over time. We find no gender differences in bereavement effects on depressive symptoms in either short or long term, net of widowhood duration. When spousal death is anticipated, both men and women return to their prewidowhood levels of depressive symptoms within 24 months of becoming widowed. Across marital groups, the continuously married are better off compared with the widowed even prior to spousal loss, whereas early, long-term widowhood is associated with worse outcomes compared with late widowhood. Although men and women do not differ in trajectories of depressive symptoms following widowhood, given similar circumstances, women are distinctly disadvantaged in that they are more likely to become widowed and under less favorable conditions.

A retrospective study of gender differences in depressive symptoms and risk of relapse in patients with alcohol dependence

The aim of this study was to investigate potential gender differences in situations associated with heavy alcohol drinking. Data from 395 alcohol dependent patients participating in the Mayo Clinic Intensive Addiction Program were evaluated. Each participant completed the inventory of drug taking situations (IDTS), Penn alcohol craving scale (PACS), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and/or Beck depression inventory (BDI). Gender differences in IDTS scores representing three domains (negative, positive, and temptation) of situations associated with heavy alcohol use were examined. Women with alcohol dependence report a higher frequency of heavy drinking in unpleasant emotional (IDTS negative scores mean ± SD women vs. men: 52.3 ± 22.1 vs. 43.8 ± 21.8; p = .0006), and as a result of temptation (IDTS temptation scores mean ± SD women vs. men: 40.4 ± 23.0 vs. 35.3 ± 20.8; p = .035). Upon admission, women also scored significantly higher on depressive symptoms as measured by the BDI (23.4 ± 11.4 vs. 18.2 ± 9.8, p < .001). After controlling for depressive symptom severity as a covariate, the IDTS gender differences were no longer significant. Our results suggest that unpleasant or temptation based emotional situations are a vulnerability risk factor for heavy drinking particularly in females. This risk appears to be at least partially driven by depressive symptom burden. Future research is needed to further investigate this finding.

Gender inequity needs to be regarded as a social determinant of depressive symptoms: Results from the Northern Swedish cohort

The importance of social and avoidable determinants of depressive symptoms has been increasingly recognized in public health research. However, when it comes to determinant of gender differences in depressive symptoms the focus is predominantly on biological unavoidable determinants. Thus, there is a need for more focus on gendered social determinants of health. The aim of this study was to analyse the importance of gender relations for depressive symptoms after taking socioeconomic factors and earlier depressive symptoms into account in the Northern Swedish cohort. A 26-year follow-up study of a cohort of all school leavers in a middle-sized industrial town in Northern Sweden was performed from age 16 until age 42. Of those still alive of the original cohort, 94% participated during the whole period and answered extensive questionnaires. Exposure was measured as socioeconomic status, financial strain, perceived gender inequity in the couple relationship and division of responsibility for domestic work. The outcome was depressive symptoms at age 42, while depressive symptoms were controlled at age 30. In multivariate logistic regression analyses significant relations between financial strain and, among women only, also perceived gender equity in the couple relationship and depressive symptoms after adjustment for earlier health status, as well as for all other exposure measures. Financial strain, and among women, also gender inequity in the couple relationship was related to depressive mood. There is a need to pay more attention to gender relations in future research on social determinants of depressive mood.

Sintomatología depresiva en ancianos. La influencia del género

ObjectiveTo examine gender differences in depressive symptoms in people over 75 years of age in the community. MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The data was obtained from the study of frailty in Lleida (FRALLE survey). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Logistic regression were used to analyse the relationship of gender with depressive symptoms. ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms was 33.1%; 22.8% for men and 40.3% for women. In the total population, gender was statistically significant in all three models constructed. Thus, women have nearly double the prevalence rates for depression compared to men, even after adjusting for social and demographic factors and the health status. ConclusionsThe results suggest that women have a higher risk of depressive symptoms than men, and the protective factors of depressive symptoms are higher education in women, and the presence of a partner in men.

Gender Differences in Self-Reported Symptoms of Depression among Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

This study examined the prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms and the self reported somatic depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) among patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and explored the impact of gender on both. A convenience sample of 789 adults (248 women and 541 men) was recruited for the study during hospital admission for ACS and participants were screened for self-reported depressive symptoms. BDI-II scores of ≥14 indicate a moderate level of depressive symptoms and this cut-off score was used to categorize patients into depressed and non-depressed groups. Pearson chi-square tests for independence (categorical variables) and t tests for independent samples (continuous variables) were used for gender comparisons. Results showed that depressive symptoms during ACS episodes were different between women and men. Women reported greater overall depressive symptoms (BDI-II mean = 11.89, S.D. = 9.68) than men (BDI-II mean = 9.00, S.D. = 7.93) (P < 0.000). Significantly more women (7.66%) were identified positive for somatic depressive symptoms (sleep and appetite disturbances and fatigue) than men (2.22%) (P = 0.0003). Findings support that there are gender differences in depressive symptoms experienced by patients hospitalized for ACS. Somatic symptoms of depression may be important indicators of depression especially among female ACS patients.

Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms in Sons and Daughters of Mothers with a History of Depression.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the independent and joint effects of child gender and informant (mother-report vs. child self-report) on children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms in an at-risk sample of children of mothers with a history of depression. Data were obtained from mothers with a history of major depressive disorder (N = 149) and their 9- to 15-year-old children (74 males, 75 females) to assess children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Little evidence was found that maternal depression amplified the typical gender differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms and behavioral problems. Partial support was found for the hypothesis that maternal depression may equalize the rates of symptoms in boys and girls. There was also some evidence that maternal depression may reverse typical patterns of gender differences in depressive symptoms; i.e., using normative T scores to account for expected rates of problems, boys reported more symptoms than girls. Mothers and children reported significantly different levels of problems depending on child gender. Future research should investigate the processes of risk that may lead to changes in the normative patterns of gender differences in the context of maternal depression.

Gender and age differences in emotion regulation strategies and their relationship to depressive symptoms

We examined differences between men and women, and between young, middle and older age adults in emotion regulation strategies (rumination, suppression, reappraisal, problem-solving, acceptance, social support) and the relationships between these strategies and depressive symptoms. Women were more likely than men to report using several different emotion regulation strategies, and these gender differences were significant even after statistically controlling for gender differences in depressive symptoms. Use of most strategies decreased with age, with two exceptions: (1) use of suppression increased with age for women but not for men and (2) use of acceptance did not decrease with age for women. Use of maladaptive strategies was associated with more depressive symptoms in all age groups and both genders, yet, the use of adaptive strategies generally was not related to lower levels depressive symptoms across groups.

Sad Adoptive Dads: Paternal Depression in the Post-Adoption Period

Despite understanding of the negative outcomes for children in a household with a depressed parent, fathers who experience postadoption depression have not been studied. This exploratory study describes adoption professionals’ perceptions of fathers’ experiences with postadoption depression. Twenty-five professionals who interact with adoptive families returned completed web-based survey data. Overall, respondents reported that fathers who experienced postadoption depression, were perceived as more likely to become disengaged from the family, and more likely to display anger and frustration rather than sadness or melancholy. Respondents appear divided on whether the adoptive father’s depression was a reaction to the mother’s depression. Mental health professionals should consider gender differences in depressive symptoms when assessing and treating adoptive fathers.

Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms of Aging Chinese in Urban Jiangsu in China

Gender differences in depressive symptoms among older Chinese were examined based upon data collected from a survey with 497 randomly selected aging Chinese of 60 years or older in Jiangsu, China. A Chinese version of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale was used. Depressive symptoms correlated with lower levels of education, financial inadequacy, lower levels of satisfaction toward housing, higher levels of worry, and poorer physical health. When controlled for other confounding factors, the effect of gender was not significant. Gender differences were most likely attributed to women's less favorable status in education level, living arrangement, housing condition, and social support.

Both patient and caregiver gender impact depressive symptoms among organ transplant caregivers: Who is at risk and why?

This study investigated the impact of patient and caregiver gender on caregiver depressive symptoms. Caregivers' use of relationship-focused coping and dimensions of caregiver burden were examined as potential mediators of gender differences in depressive symptoms. Ninety-three organ transplant candidates and their caregivers completed written questionnaires (N = 186). Females providing care to male patients reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than the other caregivers in our sample. Multiple mediation analyses revealed that less support from family members and a greater negative health impact of caregiving helped explain these gender differences. Women caring for men were also perceived as more overprotective, but this did not explain gender differences in depression. Results highlight the benefits of a contextual, dyadic approach to studying caregiver distress.

Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms Among Older Korean American Immigrants

Despite consistent reports over many years of a greater prevalence of depression among women, mechanisms underlying the gender difference remain unclear. Mechanisms relevant to immigrant elderly populations are virtually unexplored. The present study examined gender variations in depressive symptoms using a community sample of 230 older Korean American immigrants (Mage = 69.8; standard deviation = 7.05) in Florida. We were interested in examining not only mean differences but gender differences in the impact of demographic variables (age, marital status, and education), health constraints (chronic conditions and functional disability), and personal resources (sense of control, social network, and acculturation) on depressive symptoms. Consistent with previous literature, women scored higher on depressive symptoms than men. In a hierarchical regression model, women and those with more chronic conditions, greater functional disability, and lower sense of control were found to have more depressive symptoms. The interaction of gender-by-chronic conditions was found to be significant, and further analysis indicated that the association of chronic conditions with mental well-being was stronger for women. The findings suggest that among older Korean immigrants, women are at particular risk of declining psychological well-being in the face of physical health problems and call attention to the need for interventions designed to promote their physical and mental health.

Measurement Invariance and the Role of Body Consciousness in Depressive Symptoms

The purposes of this article are threefold: (a) to test measurement invariance of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS), a central tool for testing objectification theory, across men and women, given that measurement invariance is a prerequisite for gender comparisons; (b) to examine the mediating role of body shame in the link between body surveillance and depressive symptoms for both men and women; and (c) to investigate whether body surveillance and subsequent body shame could explain, at least in part, gender differences in depressive symptoms. Two studies were conducted with two college samples ( N = 360 and 278). Results indicate that factor loadings of OBCS differed for the gender groups, revealing that body surveillance and body shame items for women and body control beliefs for men are more closely aligned with their intended latent factors. Our analyses also supported the proposed two mediation models: body shame mediated the relation between body surveillance and depressive symptoms for both gender groups; and body surveillance and related body shame mediated the gender difference in depressive symptoms. Overall our studies highlight that testing measurement invariance can expose differences in scale functioning for men and women, calling into question findings based on the use of those scales.

Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms During Adolescence: The Contributions of Weight-Related Concerns and Behaviors

A theoretical model of gender differences in depressive symptoms during adolescence was evaluated using data from Waves I and II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The theoretical model under examination was primarily informed by the gender-additive model of gender differences in depressive symptoms during adolescence proposed by Stice and Bearman (2001). In the model, it was posited that BMI would be associated with perceiving oneself as overweight, which would then lead to a higher probability of dieting, which would be associated with greater depressive symptoms. Participants were 10,864 male and female adolescents. Gender did not moderate any of the model pathways, but mediation analysis indicated that gender differences in changes in depressive symptoms were mediated by perceived weight status and dieting. Findings suggest that one explanation for girls' higher depressive symptoms in adolescence relative to boys is girls' greater tendencies to perceive themselves as overweight and to diet.