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Gender differences in mental health: evidence from three organisations

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  • Emslie, Carol
  • Fuhrer, Rebecca
  • Hunt, Kate
  • Macintyre, Sally
  • Shipley, Martin
  • Stansfeld, Stephen

Abstract

It is commonly observed that women report higher levels of minor psychiatric morbidity than men. However, most research fails to control for the gendered distribution of social roles (e.g. paid work and domestic work) and so does not compare men and women in similar positions. In this short report, we examine the distribution of minor psychiatric morbidity (measured by the 12 item General Health Questionnaire) amongst men and women working in similar jobs within three white-collar organisations in Britain, after controlling for domestic and socioeconomic circumstances. Data from self-completion questionnaires were collected in a Bank (n=2176), a University (n=1641) and the Civil Service (n=6171). In all three organisations women had higher levels of minor psychiatric morbidity than men, but the differences were not great; in only the Civil Service sample did this reach statistical significance. We conclude that generalisations about gender differences in minor psychiatric morbidity can be unhelpful, as these differences may vary depending on the context of the study.

Suggested Citation

  • Emslie, Carol & Fuhrer, Rebecca & Hunt, Kate & Macintyre, Sally & Shipley, Martin & Stansfeld, Stephen, 2002. "Gender differences in mental health: evidence from three organisations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 54(4), pages 621-624, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:54:y:2002:i:4:p:621-624
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    Cited by:

    1. Levecque, Katia & Anseel, Frederik & De Beuckelaer, Alain & Van der Heyden, Johan & Gisle, Lydia, 2017. "Work organization and mental health problems in PhD students," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 868-879.
    2. Derick A. Akompab & Peng Bi & Susan Williams & Janet Grant & Iain A. Walker & Martha Augoustinos, 2012. "Awareness of and Attitudes towards Heat Waves within the Context of Climate Change among a Cohort of Residents in Adelaide, Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-17, December.
    3. M Pilar Matud & Juan M Bethencourt & Ignacio Ibáñez, 2015. "Gender differences in psychological distress in Spain," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 61(6), pages 560-568, September.
    4. Lahelma, Eero & Laaksonen, Mikko & Martikainen, Pekka & Rahkonen, Ossi & Sarlio-Lähteenkorva, Sirpa, 2006. "Multiple measures of socioeconomic circumstances and common mental disorders," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(5), pages 1383-1399, September.
    5. David Madden, 2010. "Gender Differences in Mental Well-Being: a Decomposition Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 99(1), pages 101-114, October.
    6. Jing Li & Xin Xu & Guoyong Ding & Yun Zhao & Ruixia Zhao & Fuzhong Xue & Jing Li & Jinghong Gao & Jun Yang & Baofa Jiang & Qiyong Liu, 2016. "A Cross-Sectional Study of Heat Wave-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among the Public in the Licheng District of Jinan City, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, June.
    7. Hoel, Helge. & Einarse, St°ale., 2003. "Violence and stress at work in financial services," ILO Working Papers 993650723402676, International Labour Organization.
    8. Yunjie Luo & Yoko Sato, 2021. "Health-Related Quality of Life and Risk Factors among Chinese Women in Japan Following the COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    9. David Madden, 2009. "Mental stress in Ireland, 1994–2000: a stochastic dominance approach," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(10), pages 1202-1217, October.
    10. repec:ilo:ilowps:365072 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Caroli, Eve & Weber-Baghdiguian, Lexane, 2016. "Self-reported health and gender: The role of social norms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 220-229.
    12. M. Pilar Matud & M. Concepción García, 2019. "Psychological Distress and Social Functioning in Elderly Spanish People: A Gender Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, January.
    13. Rojas, Graciela & Araya, Ricardo & Lewis, Glyn, 2005. "Comparing sex inequalities in common affective disorders across countries: Great Britain and Chile," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(8), pages 1693-1703, April.
    14. David (David Patrick) Madden, 2007. "An analysis of mental stress in Ireland, 1994-2000," Working Papers 200710, School of Economics, University College Dublin.
    15. Anikó Bíró & Réka Branyiczki & Péter Elek, 2021. "The Effect of Involuntary Retirement on Healthcare Use and Health Status," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 2122, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
    16. Foley, Ronan & Platzer, Hazel, 2007. "Place and provision: Mapping mental health advocacy services in London," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(3), pages 617-632, February.
    17. Guillaume Durand, 2018. "Demystification of the Relationship Between Psychopathy and Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 381-395, February.
    18. Anikó Bíró & Réka Branyiczki & Péter Elek, 2022. "The effect of involuntary retirement on healthcare use," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(6), pages 1012-1032, June.

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