Gender-related explanatory models of depression: A critical evaluation of medical articles

Hammarström, Anne; Lehti, Arja; Danielsson, Ulla; Bengs, Carita; Johansson, Eva

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2009.09.010

Cited by 47 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…A number of theoretical models have been proposed to account for the etiology of depression as well as these gender differences (Hammarström et al 2009). Biological explanations include genetic, physical or somatic causes, while socio-cultural explanations point to social and cultural forces that increase life stresses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Symptoms of depression and their management among low-income African-American and White mothers in the rural South

Cadigan

Skinner²

2014

Ethnicity & Health

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Objective This study examines experiences of depressive symptoms among a group of 32 low-income African American and White mothers of young children who resided in rural eastern North Carolina, USA. Design Women’s experiences of depressive symptoms were elicited through a series of longitudinal ethnographic interviews, including an explanatory models interview specifically designed to elicit their beliefs about the causes, symptomatology, and help-seeking behavior and management of depressive symptoms. Results A content analysis of interview data indicated that most women (11 African American, 15 White) reported having depressive symptoms currently or in the past. Both African American and White women perceived the main causes of these symptoms as being relationship problems with a spouse, partner, or family member; lack of finances; and parenting stresses. There were no differences in the depressive symptoms African American and White women reported, but there were differences in how they managed these symptoms and where they sought help. Most of the African American women sought no formal treatment (i.e., pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy), but instead turned to their religious faith to deal with their feelings. White women were more likely to seek formal treatment. Conclusion These findings provide insights into the ways in which women in one non-urban area in the U.S. explained and experienced depressive symptoms, and demonstrate differences in help-seeking behaviors that can be linked to beliefs about depression and perceptions of societal responses to those who have it, as well as to perceptions of and experiences with the health care system. Results have implications for the implementation of education, intervention, and treatment programs in more culturally sensitive ways.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Symptoms of depression and their management among low-income African-American and White mothers in the rural South

Cadigan

Skinner²

2014

Ethnicity & Health

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“…Theoretical models of the aetiology of depression are diverse 20. Biomedical models consist of genetic, physical or somatic causation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study investigated only one gender groups because conceptual models of depression vary by gender 9. Women were chosen because the prevalence and incidence of depression is higher in this group 20 28. Exposure to risk factors may vary by gender group 29…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative cross-sectional study of the perceived causes of depression in South Asian origin women in Toronto: Table 1

2012

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ObjectiveTo explore how South Asian origin women in Toronto, Canada, understand and explain the causes of their depression.DesignCross-sectional in-depth qualitative interviews.SettingOutpatient service in Toronto, Ontario.ParticipantsTen women with symptoms of depression aged between 22 and 65 years of age. Seven were from India, two from Sri Lanka and one from Pakistan. Four were Muslim, three Hindu and three Catholic. Two participants had university degrees, one a high school diploma and seven had completed less than a high school education. Eight were married, one was unmarried and one a widow.ResultsThree main factors emerged from the participant narratives as the causes of depression: family and relationships, culture and migration and socioeconomic. The majority of the participants identified domestic abuse, marital problems and interpersonal problems in the family as the cause of their depression. Culture and migration and socioeconomic factors were considered contributory. None of our study participants reported spiritual, supernatural or religious factors as causes of depression.ConclusionA personal–social–cultural model emerged as the aetiological paradigm for depression. Given the perceived causation, psycho-social treatment methods may be more acceptable for South Asian origin women.

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“…This finding holds for both adults and adolescents (Hammarströ m et al 2009). The comparison among elders however, is less clear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 61%

“…Theories vary from biomedical differences (e.g., hormonal, genetic, small hippocampal volume) to psychological (e.g., anxiety, coping style, history of abuse) to sociocultural (e.g., multiple roles, education, and/ or employment opportunities (Hammarströ m et al 2009)). Other studies argue that women present with a different clinical profile than men (e.g., earlier onset or longer episodes (Moskvina et al 2007)) or express their emotional distress in different ways (Emslie et al 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in affective suffering among racial/ethnically diverse, community-dwelling elders

Yancu

2011

Ethnicity & Health

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Objective. Copious research shows a female excess of unipolar depression. The generalizability of this finding is examined in a racial/ethnically diverse, community-residing, elder sample. Design. Depressive suffering was assessed both categorically and linearly with the Index of Affective Suffering (IAS), a hierarchal measure designed to examine intensity and extensity of suffering. In-home interviews by specially trained raters also collected demographic, functional, and social health data. Prevalence rates of affective suffering were examined separately for Latinos (N=996, Females=46.8%), Blacks (N=717, Females=36.5%), and Whites (N=415, Females=18.6%). Results. Analyzed by gender alone these data support the typical wisdom that females report significantly more depressed affect than males. However, by racial/ethnic group categorical analysis indicates that among Whites and Latinos, women reported more symptoms of clinically significant affective suffering than males; whereas, among Blacks, women and men did not differ from each other. Moreover, risk factors commonly associated with excess female depression failed to explain observed differences. Conclusion. The absence of a between-gender difference in affective suffering observed among Black elders in this study raises questions about generalized assumptions of greater 'female' vulnerability for this age group. A need for research to appreciate the heterogeneity of elder individuals is highlighted as is the importance of using dimensional assessment techniques in psychiatric epidemiology.

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Gender-related explanatory models of depression: A critical evaluation of medical articles

Cited by 47 publications

References 16 publications

Symptoms of depression and their management among low-income African-American and White mothers in the rural South

Symptoms of depression and their management among low-income African-American and White mothers in the rural South

Qualitative cross-sectional study of the perceived causes of depression in South Asian origin women in Toronto: Table 1

Gender differences in affective suffering among racial/ethnically diverse, community-dwelling elders

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