Archives of women's mental health
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Arch Womens Ment Health · Apr 2004
Comparative StudyCan gender differences in the prevalence of mental disorders be explained by sociodemographic factors?
Epidemiological studies throughout the world consistently reported higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders in women, whereas men consistently show higher rates of substance and antisocial disorders. The present study examined factors potentially contributing to these gender differences using general population data. ⋯ Overall the emotional advantages or disadvantages of marital status, employment status, number of children, parenthood and social class apply equally to men and women. We cannot explain the female preponderance in most mental disorders by detecting specific unfavourable patterns of sociodemographic correlates, suggesting that determinants of gender differences in common mental disorders are still far from being understood.