Gender differences in depression - Literature review

Abstract

Background: Depression has been reported to be higher among women than men both in epidemiological and clinical-based studies. Reasons for this disparity are multifactorial and begin to take effect around adolescence.

Objective: This paper seeks to identify causative factors responsible for this disparity in prevalence and report them using the biopsychosocial model of aetiology of depression. Gender differences present in symptomatology, course of illness and patient functioning during the illness are also touched on.

Methods: Google Scholar and PubMed were used to search for journal articles and books relevant to the subject. Reference lists of the published studies and reviews were also consulted along with psychiatric diagnostic manuals.

Results: A multitude of factors contribute and are responsible for the development of depression in females. However, the existence of a male form of depression has been postulated which manifests with differences in symptomatology than is found in the existing diagnostic criteria for depression.

Conclusion: Although women develop depression more, men are a particularly vulnerable group due to lower symptom-reporting and differences in symptomatology. Research has to focus on masculine depression with the possible effect of revising current diagnostic criteria to diagnose more men with depression.