Introduction
Depression is a common mental disorder in the world and it has led to the increase of medical conditions in different people and the decrease of the quality of life (Addis, 2008). A number of factors have been identified in relation to the variability of depression rates. The factors include age, marital status, gender, education, income and immigrant status (Akhtar-Danesh & Landeen, 2007). There is a need to evaluate the relationship between depression and the mentioned socio-demographic factors, specifically the factor of gender.
Hypothesis
The study will be based on the hypothesis that men are more prone to depression in comparison to women.
Research Questions
The study will aim to find answers to research questions which include:
Does there exist a difference in depression symptoms between men and women?
What factors contribute to this difference, for instance, social and economic factors?
Can the factors contributing to this difference be controlled?
Review of Literature
Research shows that women are twice as likely in comparison to men to be diagnosed with depression. However, study shows that the gap between the two is narrowing. Researchers also claim that it is easy for men to mask their depression and, hence the underestimated rates of men suffering from the disorder. Studies also show that even though women are twice as likely to commit suicide, men have a far higher rate. In comparison to women, men are less likely to seek mental health services. The symptoms of depression in men include the feeling of loneliness, suicidal thoughts, overeating, loss of interest in life and the feeling of emptiness (Davila et al., 2014). Studies show that the emotional differences between men and women make it difficult for men to recognize sadness and depression. Other factors like competitiveness may have an influence on the degree to which men communicate their depression and seek help from professionals. It is clear that the traditional masculine norms do not allow the expression of emotions in men. The relationship between age and depression shows a high prevalence of the condition in people aged between 20 and 24 and the lowest rate at 75 years and above. In relation to a person’s marital status, the rate of depression is highest in divorced and separated people while the lowest is among married people (Ryba & Hopko, 2012). Studies of depression among adolescents show that there is an association of depression with weight related issues like BMI and physical activity (Galambos, Leadbeater, & Barker, 2004). The symptoms in this group of people may be difficult to identify but it is possible to address these problems with having the necessary training.
Sampling Technique
The study of this subject would require the use of random sampling. The sample will include men of different ages and from different social and economic backgrounds. The sample is intended to represent and generalize the population of only some men. The inclusion criteria are the attributes of subjects used in the selection to determine participation. The criteria include fitness. The exclusion criteria are the factors that lead to the elimination of subjects such as other mental illnesses. The ethical issues of collecting a sample include using people of a legal age and if minors are included in the study, the permission of the parents is sought. Other ethical issues include involving people who volunteer to be part of the study.
Annotated Bibliography
Addis, M. E. (2008). Gender and Depression in Men. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 15(3), 153-168. Retrieved from http://www.economicgeography.org/faculty/addis/menswellbeing/pdfs/genderanddepressioninmen.pdf
The paper discusses the effects the traditional masculine norms have on a man’s depression symptoms. The relationship between depression and masculinity relate to the externalization and internalization of depression symptoms.
Akhtar-Danesh, N., & Landeen, J. (2007). Relation between depression and sociodemographic factors. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 1(4), 1-9. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2241832/pdf/1752-4458-1-4.pdf
The paper explores other factors that could influence depression symptoms, including marital status, age, gender, economic status and education.
Davila, E. P., Kolodziejczyk, J. K., Norman, G. J., Calfas, K., Huang, J. S., Rock, C. L., Patrick, K. (2014). Relationships between depression, gender, and unhealthy weight loss practices among overweight or obese college students. Eating Behaviors, 15(2), 271-274. Retrieved from http://fowler.ucsd.edu/depression_gender_and_weight_loss.pdf
The study evaluates the relationship between depression and overweight issues and concentrated on college students. The study found that it was more likely for unhealthy weight loss practices to be associated with depression symptoms than with gender.
Galambos, N., Leadbeater, B., & Barker, E. T. (2004). Gender differences in and risk factors for depression in adolescence: A 4-year longitudinal study. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 28(1), 16-25. Retrieved from http://www.csun.edu/~mg640721/Fall%2006/research4501-2/depressionandgenderdifferences.pdf
The paper focuses on the effects of depression on adolescents and the different symptoms depending on the gender. The study found that the BMI levels in boys and girls were different. As such, issues of body image and dissatisfaction could lead to different depression symptoms.
Ryba, N. M., & Hopko, D. R. (2012). Gender Differences in Depression: Assessing Mediational Effects of Overt Behaviors and Environmental Reward through Daily Diary Monitoring. Depression Research and Treatment, vol. 2012, 1-9Article ID 865679. doi:10.1155/2012/865679. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221979709_Gender_Differences_in_Depression_Assessing_Mediational_Effects_of_Overt_Behaviors_and_Environmental_Reward_through_Daily_Diary_Monitoring
The paper addresses the subject of gender differences in relation to depression, finding that the practices which men and women engage in their daily lives make a difference in depression symptoms. For instance, females are likely to engage in spiritual activities and hygiene while males engage in sexual activities, recreational experiences, and physical activities.
References
Addis, M. E. (2008). Gender and Depression in Men. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 15(3), 153-168. Retrieved from http://www.economicgeography.org/faculty/addis/menswellbeing/pdfs/genderanddepressioninmen.pdf
Akhtar-Danesh, N., & Landeen, J. (2007). Relation between depression and sociodemographic factors. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 1(4), 1-9. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2241832/pdf/1752-4458-1-4.pdf
Cao, Y., Wang, M., Cao, C., Chen, G., & Zhang, W. (2013). Gender Differences in the Genetic Underpinning of Depression. Advances in Psychological Science, 21(9), 1605-1616.
Davila, E. P., Kolodziejczyk, J. K., Norman, G. J., Calfas, K., Huang, J. S., Rock, C. L., Patrick, K. (2014). Relationships between depression, gender, and unhealthy weight loss practices among overweight or obese college students. Eating Behaviors, 15(2), 271-274. Retrieved from http://fowler.ucsd.edu/depression_gender_and_weight_loss.pdf
Gorman, J. M. (2006). Gender differences in depression and response to psychotropic medication. Gender Medicine, 3(2), 93-109.
Galambos, N., Leadbeater, B., & Barker, E. T. (2004). Gender differences in and risk factors for depression in adolescence: A 4-year longitudinal study. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 28(1), 16-25. Retrieved from http://www.csun.edu/~mg640721/Fall%2006/research4501-2/depressionandgenderdifferences.pdf
Ryba, N. M., & Hopko, D. R. (2012). Gender Differences in Depression: Assessing Mediational Effects of Overt Behaviors and Environmental Reward through Daily Diary Monitoring. Depression Research and Treatment, vol. 2012, 1-9Article ID 865679. doi:10.1155/2012/865679. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221979709_Gender_Differences_in_Depression_Assessing_Mediational_Effects_of_Overt_Behaviors_and_Environmental_Reward_through_Daily_Diary_Monitoring
Piccinelli, M., & Wilkinson, G. (2000). Gender differences in depression: Critical Review. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 177(6), 486-492. Retrieved from http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/177/6/486
Roxburgh, S. (2009). Untangling Inequalities: Gender, Race, and Socioeconomic Differences in Depression1. Sociological Forum, 24(2), 357-381.
Scheibe, S., Preuschhof, C., Cristi, C., & Bagby, R. M. (2003). Are there gender differences in major depression and its response to antidepressants? Journal of affective disorders, 75(3), 223-235.
