Gender and Depression: Exploring the Adult-Role Explanation

This article reviews current explanations of the frequently reported gender difference in depression, emphasizing interpretations based on the roles of women in society. Data from a community survey of 405 women and men are presented to elucidate the strengths and weaknesses of the various explanations. The methodology improves upon previous research by separating gender from confounding factors and by examining the relationship between depression and emotional experiences at home and at work. Results (1) show that when gender, occupational prestige, and adult roles are disentangled, the gender difference in depression disappears; and (2) offer strongest support for a “paucity of roles” explanation, suggesting that a lack of multiple outlets for pleasure and support leads to symptoms of depression. Women may have traditionally been reported to have higher rates of depression because, in the past, they have typically been limited to one role—that of housewife. The potential benefits, for both women and men, of functioning within multiple roles are discussed.