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Gender Differences in Mental Health

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 8910

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kinga Kaleta

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, 25-029 Kielce, Poland
Interests: forgiveness; well-being; marital relationship
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Justyna Mróz

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, 25-029 Kielce, Poland
Interests: forgiveness; psychological well-being; positive resources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

According to WHO, mental health enables individuals to realize their own potential, cope with life stressors, and work productively. As a result, a healthy person is not only free from mental disorders, but also is able to make a unique contribution to society. Knowledge about the determinants and the programmes promoting mental health should be in the spotlight as it has long-term consequences in various spheres of life, such as the economy, industries, education, and health systems. Despite advances in mental health research, there are still many challenges in the area. One of them is to develop more appropriate interventions based on scientifically proven predictors of mental health referred to specificity of genders. Effective strategies for mental health cannot be gender-neutral, while the risk factors are gender-specific due to biological and social factors.

The aim of the present Special Issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) is to strengthen existing knowledge about gender differences in mental health, both its positive and negative axes, namely the presence or absence of mental health and the presence or absence of mental illness. Further studies are needed to better understand the extent to which differences between men and women should be taken into consideration in supporting people’s functioning well in life, as well as preventing or treating mental disorders. Thus, on the one hand the topics in focus are: well-being, flourishing, coping, optimism, and on the other: depressive and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, loneliness, distress, domestic violence, insomnia, substance use, self-harm, or suicidal behaviour. Articles on these topics are invited to this Special Issue, especially those that combine high academic standards with a practical emphasis on providing optimal gender-sensitive mental health interventions.

Dr. Kinga Kaleta
Dr. Justyna Mróz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

mental health
mental disorders
well-being
flourishing
depression
anxiety
eating disorders
loneliness
distress
insomnia
addictions
aggressive behaviour

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perspectives on Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis, Symptoms, Treatment and Gender Roles: A Qualitative Study of Similarities and Differences between Sexes

by Sigrid Piening, Ingrid D. C. van Balkom, Anne Fleur Stapert, Daria Henning, Kirstin Greaves-Lord, Lineke R. C. D. Davids, Stynke Castelein and Yvonne Groen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(24), 7183; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20247183 - 15 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1700

Abstract

This study aims to compare the experiences of women and men of different age groups with regard to their first autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and gender roles to inform our understanding in clinical practice of differences as well as similarities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst 22 women (n = 12) and men (n = 10) in three adult age groups regarding their diagnostic process, symptoms, treatment, and gender roles. Participants also filled out questionnaires on gender traits, social support, coping, and quality of life. Framework analysis guidelines were followed to identify subthemes within the three pre-defined key themes of the semi-structured interviews, and quantitative analyses were performed on the questionnaire results. Women often had caregiver roles and were more focused on social and family-oriented life aspects than men. Family and societal expectations may have been different for women from an early age onward and were considered burdensome by some, but not all. Views on ASD diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment were largely individually determined. The questionnaire results mostly showed no significant sex differences. Perceived gender roles differed between participants. In diagnosis and treatment, awareness of general gender differences and gender roles is important, but inter-individual differences and similar experiences in men should not be overlooked. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Differences in Mental Health)

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25 pages, 754 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring the Autistic Women’s Experience (AWE)

by Yvonne Groen, W. Miro Ebert, Francien M. Dittner, Anne Fleur Stapert, Daria Henning, Kirstin Greaves-Lord, R. C. D. (Lineke) Davids, Stynke Castelein, Simon Baron Cohen, Carrie Allison, Ingrid D. C. Van Balkom and Sigrid Piening

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(24), 7148; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20247148 - 06 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1817

Abstract

We developed a Dutch questionnaire called the Autistic Women’s Experience (AWE) and compared its psychometric properties to the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Whilst attenuated gender differences on the AQ have been widely replicated, this instrument may not fully capture the unique experience of autistic women. The AWE was co-developed with autistic women to include items that reflect autistic women’s experience. We investigated the AWE (49 items) and compared it with the AQ (50 items) in Dutch autistic individuals (N = 153, n = 85 women) and in the general population (N = 489, n = 246 women) aged 16+. Both the AQ and AWE had excellent internal consistency and were highly and equally predictive of autism in both women and men. Whilst there was a gender difference on the AQ among non-autistic people (men > women), there was no gender difference among autistic people, confirming all earlier studies. No gender differences were detected on the AWE overall scale, yet subtle gender differences were observed on the subscales. We conclude that the AQ is valid for both genders, but the AWE provides an additional useful perspective on the characteristics of autistic women. The AWE needs further validation in independent samples using techniques that allow for testing gender biases, as well as a confirmatory factor analysis in a larger sample. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Differences in Mental Health)

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12 pages, 350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Men’s Behavior and Communication in the Days Prior to a Suicide—A Psychological Autopsy Study

by Laura Hofmann and Birgit Wagner

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(17), 6668; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176668 - 28 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1386

Abstract

Men show a significantly higher suicide rate, are less often recognized as persons at risk, and are more difficult to reach for suicide prevention interventions. Warning signs and deterioration in mental health are often not recognized by their surroundings. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the behavior and communication of men before a suicide, how relatives noticed changes, and how the interaction was perceived. N = 15 individuals who lost a close male relative to suicide were interviewed using psychological autopsy interviews. The interviews were evaluated following a deductive–inductive approach while using a comprehensive category system. The majority of men showed changes in behavior before the suicide, especially social withdrawal, irritability, and generally a deterioration in mental health. In fact, men did communicate their suicidal thoughts before they died through suicide, but mainly indirectly. While only one-third of the deceased made preparations before suicide, the majority of relatives noticed a deterioration in the mental health of the individual as well as increased alcohol and substance use. Men show signs of suicide, which are little recognized by their surroundings. Suicide prevention interventions should be adapted more to the needs of men. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Differences in Mental Health)

14 pages, 2586 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Crisis Experience and Purpose in Life in Men and Women: The Mediating Effect of Gratitude and Fear of COVID-19

by Agnieszka Lasota

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(15), 6490; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20156490 - 01 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1160

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated whether gratitude and fear of COVID-19 mediated the relationship between crisis experience during the pandemic and purpose in life in men and women. Methods: Six hundred and five participants aged between 18 and 60 years (M = 25.6; SD = 8.39) completed the Gratitude, Resentment, and Appreciation Scale—Short Form (GRAT-S), Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Purpose in Life Test (PIL). In addition, the respondents were questioned about life crises during the previous six months (e.g., the death of a loved one or illness). Results: Men and women differed in their endorsement of gratitude or fear of COVID-19 as a mediator. Women’s experiences of the crisis related both directly and indirectly to purpose in life, with gratitude and fear of COVID-19 mediating this relationship. In men, only the indirect path, from crisis experience, through gratitude, to purpose in life, turned out to be significant. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that coping styles differ in men and women and, as a consequence, that crisis interventions need to take gender into account. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Differences in Mental Health)

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14 pages, 794 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Posttraumatic Growth and Subjective Well-Being in Men and Women after Divorce: The Mediating and Moderating Roles of Self-Esteem

by Kinga Kaleta and Justyna Mróz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3864; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053864 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2278

Abstract

Prior research has mainly examined non-adaptive responses to divorce, with less attention being paid to positive changes following the adversity of marital dissolution, especially posttraumatic growth and its consequences. The aim of this paper was to analyse the relationship between posttraumatic growth and subjective well-being, as well as the mediating and moderating role of self-esteem in this relationship among divorced men and women. The sample consisted of 209 divorcees (143 females, 66 males) aged 23–80 (M = 41.97, SD = 10.72). The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES) were used in the study. Positive associations between overall posttraumatic growth, specific growth dimensions, subjective well-being and self-esteem were found. Self-esteem was confirmed as a mediator in the relationships between changes in perception of self and subjective well-being (SWB), between changes in relating to others and SWB and between appreciation for life and SWB. Self-esteem moderated the association between spiritual changes and subjective well-being; namely, changes in spirituality were positively related to happiness in individuals with lower and average self-esteem but not with high self-esteem. We found no differences between women and men in the obtained results. Self-esteem might be considered a possible psychological (mediating rather than moderating) mechanism in the transmission of PTG onto SWB in divorcees, regardless of their gender. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Differences in Mental Health)

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