Gender
First, gender must be defined to assist in understanding why such differences appear to prevail. For hundreds of years the term ‘gender’ has been defined as ‘the physical and/or social condition of being male or female’ (Cambridge Dictionaries, 2018). ‘Gender’ has served as a term since the 14th century and although it is used interchangeably with the word ‘sex’, these words have differing connotations. ‘Sex’ refers to the biological differences that encompass a male or female, whereas ‘gender’ refers to social and cultural differences, covering a more extensive range of identities (Oxford Dictionaries, 2018).
Gender inequality and gender differences have been a widespread issue and a key area of sociological research since the 1970s …show more content…
WHO exposed a gender bias which occurs in the treatment of these psychological disorders. Findings revealed that doctors were less likely to diagnose depression in men when compared to women, even in instances where identical symptoms were being presented and similar scores on standardised measures of depression were obtained. It was concluded that this was the result of varying presentations of depression. Men display less traditional symptoms (e.g. crying, sleeping) and are more likely to ‘act out’ (taking drugs, drinking, being aggressive). Therefore, their problems are commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed (Men’s Mental Health Forum: Founded in 2014). The occurrence of mental health problems amongst men and women is of roughly equal number yet women are far more likely to be diagnosed and treated, resulting in potential fatal consequences; 75% of all suicides are by men (Office of National Statistics, …show more content…
When assessing these factors amongst a sample comprising 362 university students, they demonstrated a significant, moderate correlation between attitudes towards psychological help-seeking and gender, as well as the self-stigma associated with help-seeking. They identified that males and those holding more self-stigma are more likely to hold negative attitudes towards psychological help-seeking. These findings are further supported by Pfohl (2010) who also revealed a relationship between gender and the self-stigma for receiving psychological help. Both factors significantly and negatively predicted attitudes toward psychological help-seeking behaviours. These studies validate that males experience higher levels of both self and public stigma than women, suggesting that males are more influenced by negative public views associated with help-seeking (Hackler, 2007). The evidence at hand demonstrates why mental health awareness and the reduction of such stigma is crucial; it acts as a prevention tool for seeking
First, gender must be defined to assist in understanding why such differences appear to prevail. For hundreds of years the term ‘gender’ has been defined as ‘the physical and/or social condition of being male or female’ (Cambridge Dictionaries, 2018). ‘Gender’ has served as a term since the 14th century and although it is used interchangeably with the word ‘sex’, these words have differing connotations. ‘Sex’ refers to the biological differences that encompass a male or female, whereas ‘gender’ refers to social and cultural differences, covering a more extensive range of identities (Oxford Dictionaries, 2018).
Gender inequality and gender differences have been a widespread issue and a key area of sociological research since the 1970s …show more content…
WHO exposed a gender bias which occurs in the treatment of these psychological disorders. Findings revealed that doctors were less likely to diagnose depression in men when compared to women, even in instances where identical symptoms were being presented and similar scores on standardised measures of depression were obtained. It was concluded that this was the result of varying presentations of depression. Men display less traditional symptoms (e.g. crying, sleeping) and are more likely to ‘act out’ (taking drugs, drinking, being aggressive). Therefore, their problems are commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed (Men’s Mental Health Forum: Founded in 2014). The occurrence of mental health problems amongst men and women is of roughly equal number yet women are far more likely to be diagnosed and treated, resulting in potential fatal consequences; 75% of all suicides are by men (Office of National Statistics, …show more content…
When assessing these factors amongst a sample comprising 362 university students, they demonstrated a significant, moderate correlation between attitudes towards psychological help-seeking and gender, as well as the self-stigma associated with help-seeking. They identified that males and those holding more self-stigma are more likely to hold negative attitudes towards psychological help-seeking. These findings are further supported by Pfohl (2010) who also revealed a relationship between gender and the self-stigma for receiving psychological help. Both factors significantly and negatively predicted attitudes toward psychological help-seeking behaviours. These studies validate that males experience higher levels of both self and public stigma than women, suggesting that males are more influenced by negative public views associated with help-seeking (Hackler, 2007). The evidence at hand demonstrates why mental health awareness and the reduction of such stigma is crucial; it acts as a prevention tool for seeking