Citation

Cavanagh A, Wilson CJ, Kavanagh DJ, Caputi P. Harv. Rev. Psychiatry 2017; 25(1): 29-38.

Affiliation

From the School of Psychology (Ms. Cavanagh and Dr. Caputi), Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, Graduate School of Medicine (Dr. Wilson), and Centre for Health Initiatives (Dr. Caputi), University of Wollongong; Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation and School of Psychology & Counselling, Queensland University of Technology (Dr. Kavanagh) (all Australia).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, President and Fellows of Harvard College, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HRP.0000000000000128

PMID

28059934

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: While some studies suggest that men and women report different symptoms associated with depression, no published systematic review or meta-analysis has analyzed the relevant research literature. This article aims to review the evidence of gender differences in symptoms associated with depression.

METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, and PsycINFO databases, along with further identified references lists, were searched. Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. They included 108,260 participants from clinical and community samples with a primary presentation of unipolar depression. All 32 studies were rated for quality and were tested for publication bias. Meta-analyses were conducted on the 26 symptoms identified across the 32 studies to assess for the effect of gender.

RESULTS: The studies indicate a small, significant association of gender with some symptoms. Depressed men reported alcohol/drug misuse (Hedges's g = 0.26 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11-0.42]) and risk taking/poor impulse control (g = 0.58 [95% CI, 0.47-0.69]) at a greater frequency and intensity than depressed women. Depressed women reported symptoms at a higher frequency and intensity that are included as diagnostic criteria for depression such as depressed mood (g = -0.20 [95% CI, -0.33 to -0.08]), appetite disturbance/weight change (g = -0.20 [95% CI, -0.28 to -0.11]), and sleep disturbance (g = -0.11 [95% CI, -0.19 to -0.03]).

CONCLUSIONS: Results are consistent with existing research on gender differences in the prevalence of substance use and mood disorders, and of their co-occurrence. They highlight the potential utility of screening for substance misuse, risk taking, and poor impulse control when assessing depression in men. Future research is warranted to clarify gender-specific presentations of depression and co-occurring symptoms.

Language: en