Sex or Gender Leading to a High Risk of Depressive Disorder in Women

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of major depressive disorder on women is 1.6 over men. According to the WHO, there is evidence that gender, which is a social construct for men and women’s role, influences mental health. However, there is no evidence of gender related to depressive disorder in Thailand.

Objective: To describe gender related to major depressive disorder in Thai women.

Method: This qualitative study was conducted in a semi-rural area in one province in Northeastern Thailand. A total of 25 Thai women who were diagnosed with major depressive disorder and were under a two-year project of the Thai Depression Surveillance System participated as key informants. Twelve of their husbands were interviewed as secondary informants. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and focus group with tape recording. Content analysis was used to disclose the relevant themes based on gender perspective. To increase rigor of data analysis, interpretive findings were validated with 19 female key participants.

Findings: Both key and secondary informants agreed that role internalization having a high risk for depressive disorder in Thai women. The five identified themes related to the causes of depression were: drinking and having an affair, which is considered common for men, continuous family responsibilities, mother-child attachment, unable to let it go, and the norm that women should stay home.

Conclusion and suggestion: The findings suggest that gender is related to depressive disorder in Thai women. Therapists should be gender sensitive in providing treatment for women who are under stress from gender role. Psychosocial interventions need to address the psychosocial origin or gender norms of depression.