Gender Influence On Depression

The Influence of Gender on Depression

There are many differences when it comes to distinguishing genders both physically and psychologically. There is a large spectrum of depressive symptoms that determines the diagnosis of Major Depression Disorder. Major Depression Disorder is a mood disorder characterized by a constant feeling of sadness and hopelessness, in addition to a loss of interest in normal activities, affecting one’s behavior and thoughts over a course of two or more weeks (Mayo Staff). With these varied conditions it leads to the question of whether or not the difference in gender has any effect on how depression affects an individual. It leads to questioning whether or not depression influences the two genders in different ways.
She also hypothesized that women are also more likely to have feelings of low mastery and use aspects of ruminative coping which involves over-analyzing and worrying about emotions associated with various problems (Nolen-Hoeksema, Li). She randomly chose participants from various age groups to acquire samples from young, middle aged, and older adults and asked them to take part in two, ninety minute interviews, one at the beginning of the study and the other a year later (Nolen-Hoeksema). The responses to the questions were part of a specific set of answers from the Likert-type scale to asses the five sources of chronic strain (Nolen-Hoeksema). These included aspects such as parenting, relationships, and work responsibilities. The study suggested that women had many more instances of vulnerability within their everyday lives compared to men over a year’s time (Nolen-Hoeksema). These led to chronic strain, rumination during times of distress, and a feeling of limited control over their lives that combine to produce a greater chance of experiencing depression (Nolen-Hoeksema). A similar study related to coping using these types of questionnaires had similar results that suggested women had more academic control over their lives rather than their social lives leading to this sense of social stress (Compas). This relates to the emotional focus that girls use when dealing with external stressors (Compas). The tendency for women to internalize problems, and in turn for men to externalize difficulties, leads to the greater potential to experience aspects and symptoms of depression in a more overwhelming fashion (link