Why Are Depression Rates Higher in Women?

Depression is a serious mental health issue in America today, with as many as 6.7% of the U.S. adult population being diagnosed with the disorder over a 12-month period (National Institute of Mental Health, 2010). Even more upsetting is that the National Institute of Mental Health (2010) notes that women are 70% more likely to experience depression of the course of their lifetime, than their male counterparts. Why is it that women are over twice as likely to experience depressive episodes? And why are depression rates symptoms in women often more severe and harder to kick than depressive symptoms in men (Comer, 2004)?

There are a number of theories surrounding the question of why depression rates are higher in women, and it's important to keep in mind one or more of these theories can play a role in the prevalence of depression among the female population. The theories to be discussed are: the hormone theory, the artifact theory, the quality of life theory, societal pressure theory, the lack of control theory, the self-blame theory, and the rumination theory.

The Hormone Theory

This is one of the most controversial theories behind depression in women, as it attributes higher depression rates in women to hormonal factors unique to the female species. It is well-known that such hormonal changes as menstruation and menopause cause mood changes in women, but can biological reasons be to blame for women's higher depression rates as well?

Science Daily (2007) reports that evidence behind the hormonal theory can be cited in the change in depression rates between boys and girls after females begin menstruation. "Previous research has found that, before puberty, the rates of mood and anxiety disorders are similar in boys and girls. It's only after females begin menstruation that a gender differential in mood disorders manifests itself" (ScienceDaily, 2007). However, even this research states that other factors must be at play as well, and that depression rates cannot wholly be blamed on a woman's hormonal make-up.

Other hormonal issues experienced by women that are claimed to contribute to depression are pregnancy, menopause, and other puberty changes. With each of these comes a new slew of changes that a woman must go through, both biologically and psychologically. However, it is the psychological that even Comer (2004) and the Mayo Clinic (2010) cite as important in interacting with normal biological functions to spurn depression in women. Comer (2004) notes that while the hormone theory holds some validity in that women do differ significantly from men in their hormonal make-up and the changes associated with it, it is often thought as sexist because it implies that "a woman's normal biology is flawed." However, as previously stated, if combined with one of the other social theories, it may help to explain why these hormonal changes affect a women's psychology so drastically.

The Artifact Theory

This explanation for the obvious difference in reported depression rates between men and women proposes that the depression rate is actually equal, but that depression in men is either failed to be diagnosed, that men don't seek help as often, or that men do not show their feelings as much as women do, and thus aren't seen as being depressed (Brommelhoff et al, 2004). This particular theory suggests that men and women portray their depressive moods differently because women are more sensitive, emotional, and expressive about their feelings, while men hold it all inside. The problem is that this theory lacks backing research, and Comer (2004) notes that findings actually indicate that "women are actually no more willing or able than men to identify their depressive symptoms and seek treatment."

The Quality of Life Theory

As the title of this theory suggests, the quality of life theory purports that women in our society today experience a higher stress levels than men, and thus don't have as high an outlook on their quality of life as men do. Comer (2004) notes that women generally experience higher levels of poverty, hold more menial jobs, have less adequate housing, and experience more discrimination than men, not to mention tend to take on more responsibilities in the household (taking care of children, cooking, cleaning, etc). In fact, women and children make up 75% of the poor population in the U.S. (National Institute for Mental Health, 2007), providing proof that most women do not experience as high quality of life as men do, at the very least where money is concerned.

The National Institute of Mental Health (2007) also notes that women in unsatisfying relationships or marriages, divorced women, and/or separated women experience higher levels of depression than women in satisfying relationships where there is intimacy and a sense of trust. While it is not being suggested that a women needs a man to be happy, it is suggesting that companionship makes a big difference, as do life situations where a woman feels that she is being treated as an equal, instead of on a lower social and professional level than their male counterparts.

The Social Pressure Theory

This leads us to the social pressure theory, that ties in to the aforementioned quality of life theory. This particular theory focuses on the various social pressures that women experience from the time they are very young. Think about what a woman in society is expected to be. Women from a very young age are inundated with ideas about their body image. Women are expected to be thin and fit. It's all over the media, how to get thin, pills to take to lose weight; not to mention the number of female role models that are slender and of very low body weight. This places an extremely unrealistic model of one's body that has become nearly impossible to achieve while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and women of all ages go to extremes to achieve the "ideal" body.

Galambos et al (2004) notes that the social pressure theory serves to explain depression rates well as it corresponds to the disparity in depression rates at adolescence. Furthermore, males tend to experience less pressure associated with their body image. While women are often seen as fat when they gain a bit around their midsection, men are seen as being manly, or simply a "big guy." The negativity associated with bigger men simply isn't as high as the negativity associated with bigger women (Comer, 2004).

The Lack of Control Theory

This theory is based on women's higher likelihood to be dependent on another individual, or to be the victim of a crime. The theory proposes that women often learn helplessness during their lifetime (Comer, 2004), especially when they are taught from childhood to depend on men or friends to help them manage their life. Furthermore, because women are twice as likely to be victims of a crime, depression and helplessness can spawn from that (Comer, 2004). According to the National Institute for Mental Health (2007) women who experience various forms of abuse (physical or sexual, including harassment) experience higher rates of depression, "fostering low self-esteem, a sense of helplessness, self-blame, and social isolation."

The Self-Blame Theory

This is a rather outdated theory, but is still worth mentioning for the sake of proper coverage of the topic at hand. The self-blame theory proposes that women view their failures and success as a lack of ability on their part, or to a lack of luck (Comer, 2004). This sort of self-harming thinking leads to depression as it pulls the individual down. While failures may sometimes be due to lack of ability, it can also often be attributed to a number of other factors. Comer (2004) notes that this theory doesn't seem to hold weight as recent research puts men and women's thoughts on successes and failures on the same level, which wouldn't explain why depression rates in women are higher than men's, and as such does not hold weight.

The Rumination Theory

Looking up rumination in a thesaurus may yield words like meditation and musing, and this is the exact basis for the rumination theory. This particular theory holds that women may be more prone to depression due to their tendency to dwell on, or repeatedly think about things that may be disturbing or upsetting (Comer, 2004). According to Comer (2004) and McBride and Bagby (2006) the tendency to keep going over issues that cause distress, and continue to think about the consequences of one's depressed mood, creates a cycle of depression that is difficult to break. According to the theory, women tend to ruminate more than men, and as such, cause, maintain, or worsen their depression when it might otherwise have diminished, or been treated more easily.

This theory has some backing, but also raises the question between gender differences in cognition which some people may not find appealing. However, because of research, it should be kept in mind by those questioning the higher rate of depression in women, or by those suffering from depression. Due to the nature of mental health, it seems very logical that this sort of cognition would serve to further one's depressed state, and many psychologists look into how individuals view the world in order to diagnose and treat depression. The rumination theory also seems to explain why depression seems to strike women more fiercely and why depression symptoms are harder to kick in women than in men.

As stated earlier, no one theory will probably completely unveil the reason for the higher prevalence of depression in women. At this point, it is widely believed that a biological factor and social factor combine to create depression in an individual (Mule, 2004). For now, the gender difference in depression rates remains a topic of interest and contention in the mental health world, and continued research is needed to gain a firm understanding of why women are more prone to depression, why symptoms are often more serious, and why they generally take longer to remedy.

　

References:

Brommelhoff, J.A., Conway, K., Merikangas, K., & Levy, B.R. (2004). Higher Rates of Depression in Women: Role of Gender Bias Within the Family. Medscape News.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2009). Anxiety and Depression.

Galambos, N.L., Leadbeater, B.J., & Barker, E.T. (2004). Gender Differences in and Risk Factors for Depression in Adolescence: A 4-year Longitudinal Study. Inter. J. Behav. 28(1).

National Institute of Mental Health (2010). Major Depressive Disorder Among Adults.

National Institute of Mental Health (2007). Women and Depression. PsychCentral.

Mayo Clinic (2010). Depression in Women: Understanding the Gender Gap.

McBride, C. & Bigby, M.R. (2006). Rumination and Interpersonal Dependency: Explaining Women's Vulnerability to Depression. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 47(3), 184-194.

Mule, C.M. (2004). Why Women Are More Susceptible to Depression: An Explanation for Gender Differences.

University of Alberta (2007). What is The Link Between Women's Hormones and Mood Disorders? ScienceDaily.