Sex differences in mental illness: a community study of the influence of physical health and sociodemographic factors

Vazquez-Barquero, J.L., Manrique, J.F. D., Munoz, J., Arango, J. M., Gaite, L., Herrera, S. and Der, G. (1992) Sex differences in mental illness: a community study of the influence of physical health and sociodemographic factors. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 27(2), pp. 62-68. (doi: 10.1007/BF00788507)

Abstract

This paper examines sex differences in psychiatric morbidity, using data from a community sample. The PSE-CATEGO-ID system was used to evaluate psychopathology. Six sociodemographic factors and physical illness were taken as independent variables. Females exhibit both a significantly higher psychiatric morbidity than males and a predominance of syndromes closely related to depression (SD; OD syndromes) and anxiety (GA; SA; TE; IT syndromes). Logistic modelling analysis, carried out separately for each sex, yielded different models. Psychiatric illness in men was best predicted by physical illness, unemployment and the interaction between the two. In contrast, physical illness emerged, in women, as the only factor exerting significant effects on psychiatric morbidity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Der, Mr Geoffrey
• Authors: Vazquez-Barquero, J.L., Manrique, J.F. D., Munoz, J., Arango, J. M., Gaite, L., Herrera, S., and Der, G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
• ISSN: 0933-7954
• ISSN (Online): 1433-9285