Citation

Möller-Leimkühler AM. J. Neurol. Neuroch. Psychiatr. 2005; 6(3): 29-35.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Krause & Pachernegg)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Relationships between traditional gender-roles and prevalence of mental disorders are discussed by giving an overview over epidemiological data in this field. Gender refers to the social constructions of masculinity and femininity. It is a central determinant of health and illness, linking personal/social identity and societal conditions. There are different gender-related profiles of mental disorders, which are associated with risk factors, which evidently result in different consequences for males and females. These risk factors stem from the socioeconomic position (multiple roles vs. role reduction, unemployment, effort-reward-imbalance at work, marriage/separation) as well as from gender bias in medical institutions. Health risks are not only externally mediated by gender-roles, but may also develop due to the internalisation of masculine and feminine norms. This leads to different gender-related stress-response and coping strategies. Thus, gender-related concepts of health and illness, gender-related patterns of stress, and deficiences of normative socialisation add to affective and psychosomatic disorders in females, and to alcohol dependence, personality disorders, violence and suicide in males. The impact of gender on mental health has numerous implications for research, therapy, and health policies.

Language: de

Keywords

Gender; human; violence; gender; mental health; suicide; identity; female; male; alcoholism; gender bias; Mental health; stress; therapy; mood disorder; unemployment; risk factor; article; mental disease; personality disorder; job satisfaction; marriage; health care policy; socialization; epidemiological data; coping behavior; sex role; medical research; social status; psychosomatic disorder; social class; divorce; Gender bias; Gender-related risk factors