According to recent research from the United States, 'A social problem that has preoccupied sociologists of gender and mental health is the higher rate of depression found among women. Although a number of hypotheses about this health disparity between men and women have been advanced, none consider the importance of subjectively experienced anger.'
'Drawing on theoretical and empirical insights from the sociology of emotion, we hypothesize that: (1. intense and persistent anger are associated with more symptoms of depression, and (2. sex differences in the intensity and persistence of anger are involved in the sex difference in depressed affect. Analyses of data from the 1996 GSS Emotions Module provide support for these two hypotheses and strongly suggest that women's intense and persistent anger play a pivotal role in their high rate of depression. We discuss the extent to which sex differences in these emotions are a function of social factors, biological factors, or a complex interaction between them,' wrote R.W. Simon and colleagues, Wake Forest University (see also Mental Health).
The researchers concluded: 'We also comment on the implications of our findings for future theory and research on gender, emotion and mental health.'
Simon and colleagues published their study in Social Forces (Sex, Anger and Depression. Social Forces, 2010;88(4):1543-1568).
For additional information, contact R.W. Simon, Wake Forest University, Dept. of Sociol, POB 7808, Winston Salem, NC 27106, USA.
Publisher contact information for the journal Social Forces is: University North Carolina Press, Box 2288, Journals Dept., Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2288, USA.
Keywords: City:Winston-Salem, State:NC, Country:United States, Gender Health, Gender Medicine, Mental Health, Women's Health
This article was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Women's Health Weekly via NewsRx.com.
