Sex Differences in Rates of Depression: Cross-National Perspectives

Rates of depression are compared by sex in epidemiologic surveys conducted in the United States, Canada, Germany & New Zealand. Data show that the rates of major depression & dysthymia are higher in females than in males & are approximately equal for bipolar disorder across all 4 countries. Rates for suicide attempts are also higher for females compared to males at all sites. Overall the rates of major depression for males seem to be rising & for females stabilizing for birth cohorts born after 1945. (21 refs)