Mental Health and Aging: Are There Gender Differences?

A review of community mental health studies that have included older adults revealed a lack of consistent evidence of more psychological impairment among older females than males. Additionally, in a recent survey of older adults, no significant relationships were found between gender and 5 measures of impairment for those 65 and over; and only minimal associations on 2 impairment measures for bereaved respondents. These findings are incongruent with the literature on gender differences in psychological impairment and have social policy implications.