Gender differences in depression
Abstract
Background While there is ample evidence that the prevalence rates for major depressive disorder (MDD) in the general population are higher in women than in men, there is little data on gender differences as regard to symptoms, causal attribution, help-seeking, coping, or the consequences of depression. Method The large DEPRES Study dataset covering representative population samples of six European countries (wave I: 38,434 men and 40,024 women; wave II: 563 men and 1321 women treated for depression) was analyzed for gender differences. Results In wave I marked gender differences were found in the six-month prevalence rate for major depression but less so for minor depression; the gender differences for major depression persisted across all age groups. Even after stratification by clinically significant impairment and paid employment status, men reported fewer symptoms than women; as a consequence, men reached the diagnostic threshold less often. In wave II there were clear gender differences in causal attribution and in coping. Men coped by increasing their sports activity and consumption of alcohol and women through emotional release and religion. Women felt the effects of depression in their quality of sleep and general health, whereas men felt it more in their ability to work. Limitations The second wave of the study comprises treated depressives only and may be less representative than the first wave.
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The limited findings on adulthood are inconsistent regarding both the magnitude and direction of the gender difference in depression.
“The limited findings in adulthood are inconsistent with respect to both the magnitude and direction of the gender difference in depression”
From Gender Differences in Depression in Representative National Samples: Meta-Analyses of Diagnoses and Symptoms (2017) · cites this paper as Angst et al., 2002
Men express symptoms of depression that do not always conform to DSM-5 criteria, such as more externalizing behaviors and underreporting of other symptoms.
“Men express symptoms of depression that do not always conform to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., DSM-5”
From Improving Mental Health Service Utilization Among Men: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Behavior Change Techniques Within Interventions Targeting Help-Seeking (2019) · cites this paper as Angst et al., 2002
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- Authors
- Angst, J., Gamma, A., Gastpar, M., L�pine, J.-P., Mendlewicz, J., & Tylee, A.
- Affiliations
- Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Angst, J.
- Venue
- European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
- Published
- 2002-10-01
- Volume
- 252
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 201-209
- ISSN
- 0003-9373 (ISSN-L)
- 0940-1334
- 1433-8491
- OpenAlex
- W2248379178
- Cited by
- 629
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 22.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Roles and Identity Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- gender differences, major depressive disorder, minor depression, depression prevalence, causal attribution, coping, help-seeking, symptom severity, work impairment, sleep quality, alcohol consumption, religious coping
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Anxiety, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Female, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Netherlands, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Pilot Projects, Quality of Life, Severity of Illness Index, Sick Role, Spain, Prevalence, Sex Distribution, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
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