Sex Differences in Mental Illness: An Analysis of Response Bias in Self-Reports

Phillips and Segal (1969) and Cooperstock (1971) have argued that the consistent finding that women have higher rates of mental illness than men is a product of response bias and does not reflect actual difference in rates of mental illness. In the present paper we look at the effect three forms of response bias-perceived trait desirability, need for social approval, and naysaying-have on respondents' reports of psychiatric symptoms. When these three forms of response bias are controlled for, the difference between the sexes does not diminish but instead increases.