Depressive Symptoms and Occupational Role Among Female Groups: a Research in a South-East African Village

A modified version of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire translated into Chichewa language was administered to 161 women (23 dressmakers, 46 nurses, & 92 housewives) in the village of Namwera, Malawi. Dressmakers & housewives appeared more at risk of psychological suffering than nurses. Psychosomatic symptoms were more frequent among housewives, while dressmakers showed more typical depressive symptoms, including suicidal thoughts & self-blame. Data also confirm that, in an African context, some social factors are related to depression among female groups. (32 refs.)