Citation

Pearson V. Hong Kong J. Psychiatry 2000; 10(2): 11-15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article examines the issue of distress as it affects men and women, in particular in relation to suicide and marriage. The paper draws on locally based, empirical data that shows that marital satisfaction increases for men the longer they are married, while decreasing for women. Although the overall rate of suicide is higher for men than for women, the two rates are much closer in Hong Kong than is the case in Western countries. This suggests that, among other things, marriage provides less protection against suicide for women than is commonly the case elsewhere. The article points out that because men's means of expressing distress tends to involve acting out behaviour, women and children are the focus of aggression, which increases their distress levels. The article concludes with evidence that demonstrates that approximately 60% of people who kill themselves in Hong Kong have consulted a doctor during the previous 14 days, suggesting that professional ability to recognise the variety of ways in which distress is communicated needs to be improved.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; aggression; alcoholism; antisocial behavior; anxiety neurosis; behavior; consultation; controlled study; depression; Distress; distress syndrome; dysthymia; female; Help-seeking Behaviour; human; interpersonal communication; major clinical study; male; marriage; Marriage; obsession; pathological gambling; review; self help; sex difference; suicide; Suicide