Depression, Gender and Stigma

Paper Summary:

This paper presents a study that examines whether stigma exists surrounding depression, and whether females are more likely to be stigmatized or categorized as having depression than males are of the same peer group. It discusses how the literature finds that there are many instances where non-educated consumers consider depression and other disorders including low self-esteem or anxiety commonplace among women rather than men and how this may result in suppression of feeling in men who may need care.

Outline:
Introduction
Hypothesis
Research Question
Findings

From the Paper:

"For purposes of this study stigma may be defined as an individual or group reaction toward members of other groups that one may describe as deviant or result in considering other parties of "marginal status" (Katz, 1981:1). Throughout history researchers have acknowledged the stigma associated with having a mental disorder, whether that disorder is depression, anxiety or some other significant mental health disorder requiring treatment (Katz, 1981; MacMillan, et al. 1996). There are many reasons for this, including society's fear of mental health and fear that someone with a mental health condition may or may not be capable of interacting with "normal" members of society (Katz, 1981). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Grossman, H., & Grossman, S.H. (1994). Gender issues in education. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
• Katz, I. (1981). Stigma: A social and psychological analysis. Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Keppel, G. (1982). Design and analysis: A researcher's handbook. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Maag, J.W., Behrens, J.T., & Digangi, S.A. (1992). Dysfunctional cognitions associated with adolescent depression: findings across special populations. Exceptionality, 3(1): 31.
• Maccoby, E.E., & Jacklin, C.N. (1978). The psychology of sex differences. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

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