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Rethinking gender and mental health: A critical analysis of three propositions

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  • Hill, Terrence D.
  • Needham, Belinda L.

Abstract

In this paper, we critically examine three propositions that are widely (but not universally) accepted in the gender and mental health literature. First, women and men have similar or equal rates of overall psychopathology. Second, affective disorders like anxiety and depression, which are more common among women, and behavioral disorders like substance abuse and antisocial personality, which are more common among men, are functionally equivalent indicators of misery. Finally, women are more likely to respond to stressful conditions with affective disorders while men are more likely to respond to stressful conditions with behavioral disorders. Our review of previous research shows little to no consistent empirical support for any of these propositions. Results from national studies of overall psychopathology or “any disorder” are, at best, mixed and limited to a narrow range of mental health conditions. A comprehensive test of gender differences in overall psychopathology would require a systematic and exhaustive examination of gender differences across the known universe of mental health conditions, but this may be impossible to achieve due to a lack of consensus on the universe, the proliferation of diagnostic categories, and the tendency to pathologize the mental health of women. There is no empirical evidence to suggest that women substitute affective disorders for behavioral disorders or that men substitute behavioral disorders for affective disorders. There is no theory to suggest that affective and behavioral disorders should be treated as comparable indicators of misery. Some studies support the idea that women and men respond to stress in different ways, but most do not. Numerous studies show that women and men respond to stressors with higher levels of emotional distress, substance abuse, and antisocial behavior. We conclude with seven recommendations to advance theory and research and several general reflections on the sociological study of gender and mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Hill, Terrence D. & Needham, Belinda L., 2013. "Rethinking gender and mental health: A critical analysis of three propositions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 83-91.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:92:y:2013:i:c:p:83-91
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.05.025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Schroeder, Ryan D. & Hill, Terrence D. & Haynes, Stacy Hoskins & Bradley, Christopher, 2011. "Physical health and crime among low-income urban women: An application of general strain theory," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 21-29, January.
    6. Griffin, Joan M. & Fuhrer, Rebecca & Stansfeld, Stephen A. & Marmot, Michael, 2002. "The importance of low control at work and home on depression and anxiety: do these effects vary by gender and social class?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 54(5), pages 783-798, March.
    7. Rosenfield, Sarah, 2012. "Triple jeopardy? Mental health at the intersection of gender, race, and class," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(11), pages 1791-1801.
    8. Gove, Walter R., 1984. "Gender differences in mental and physical illness: The effects of fixed roles and nurturant roles," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 77-84, January.
    9. Needham, Belinda & Hill, Terrence D., 2010. "Do gender differences in mental health contribute to gender differences in physical health?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(8), pages 1472-1479, October.
    10. Catherine Ross & Ryan Masters & Robert Hummer, 2012. "Education and the Gender Gaps in Health and Mortality," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 49(4), pages 1157-1183, November.
    11. Slopen, Natalie & Williams, David R. & Fitzmaurice, Garrett M. & Gilman, Stephen E., 2011. "Sex, stressful life events, and adult onset depression and alcohol dependence: Are men and women equally vulnerable?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(4), pages 615-622, August.
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    2. Wang, Donggen & Yang, Min, 2023. "Gendered mobility and activity pattern: implications for gendered mental health," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    3. Laura Upenieks & Matthew A. Andersson & Markus H. Schafer, 2021. "God, Father, Mother, Gender: How Are Religiosity and Parental Bonds During Childhood Linked to Midlife Flourishing?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 3199-3220, October.
    4. Evelina Landstedt & Per Gustafsson & Klara Johansson & Anne Hammarström, 2016. "Longitudinal associations between social relationships at age 30 and internalising symptoms at age 42: findings from the Northern Swedish Cohort," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(1), pages 75-81, January.
    5. Copeland, Molly & Kamis, Christina & Varela, Gabriel, 2023. "Pathways from peers to mental health: Adolescent networks, role attainment, and adult depressive symptoms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

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    Keywords

    USA; Gender; Mental health; Stress; Theory;
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