Depression in Women: Psychological Disorder or Social Problem?

Authors

  • Janet Stoppard University of New Brunswick

Abstract

Rates of depression consistently are found to be higher in women than men. Feminist analyses emphasize the disadvantaged position of women in society in accounting for the higher rates of depression among women. Mainstream theories of depression emphasize intra-individual factors. An evaluation of research on depression supports the conclusion that findings are more consistent with feminist than with mainstream formulations. A feminist perspective on depression, however, is unlikely to have much impact on mental health practice and policy, because of the dominant position of the psychiatric profession in legitimating clinical definitions of depression

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Published

1988-10-01

Issue

Section

Original Research