Citation

Jakubaschk J, Hubschmid T. Eur. J. Psychiatry 1994; 8(2): 69-80.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Departmento de Psiquiatria de la Facultad de Medicina de Zaragoza)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Kendell tried to evaluate the psychoanalytic hypothesis of a reciprocal relationship between aggression and depression with epidemiological data. This relationship is re-examined. By taking into account new previously unconsidered investigations we come to the following conclusions: The psychoanalytic explanation seems invalid as manifest hostility and depression do not correlate negatively. On the contrary, aggressivity declines as depression improves. - Despite the invalidity of the psychoanalytic hypothesis there seems to be a link between aggression and depression. Women who show less aggressive behaviour than men, become depressive twice as often. The higher incidence of depression in women is neither an artifact nor to be explained by biological factors. Socialization, helplessness training, and sex-role seem to contribute to this fact. - In times of war, with an aggressive mood in the population and hostile behaviour towards the enemy, a reduction of depressive illness and suicide can be observed. - Depressions are three times more frequent in religious communities - as eg among the Amish in the United States - leading a life free of aggression. In spite of some contradictory results, the findings seem to support the reciprocal relationship between aggression and depression.

Language: en

Keywords

human; depression; aggression; war; review; psychoanalysis; sex role; religion; communities free from aggression; depression in times of war; inhibition of aggression; sex ratio of depression