Work

A Hypothesis of Gender Differences in Self-Reporting Symptom of Depression: Implications to Solve Under-Diagnosis and Under-Treatment of Depression in Males

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: The phenomenon of female preponderance in depression has been well-reported, which has been challenged by higher rates of suicide and addictive behaviors in males, and a longer life-span in females. We thus propose an alternative hypothesis "Gender differences in self-reporting symptom of depression," suggesting mild-moderate depression tends to be reported more often by females, and severe depression and suicide tend to be reported more often by males. Potential mechanisms that account for this difference may include three aspects: covariation between estrogen levels and the incidence peak of female depression, gender differences in coping style (e.g., comparative emotional inexpressiveness and non-help-seeking in males), and gender differences in symptom phenotypes (e.g., atypical symptoms in male depression). Our newly presented hypothesis implied the overlooked under-diagnosis and under-treatment of depression in males. For effective diagnoses and timely treatment of male depression, it is critical to incorporate symptoms of depression in males into the relevant diagnostic criteria, encourage males to express negative emotions, and increase awareness of suicidal behavior in males.

Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.589687

Authors: Peixia Shi, Aigang Yang, Qing Zhao, Zhaohua Chen, Xiaomei Ren, Qin Dai

Institutions: Army Medical University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Gender Roles and Identity Studies

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,950