Does gender role explain a high risk of depression? A meta-analytic review of 40 years of evidence

Jingyuan Lin, Liye Zou, Wuji Lin, Benjamin Becker, Albert Yeung, Pim Cuijpers, Hong Li*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Background: This meta-analytic review aimed to systematically evaluate associations of depression with multiple gender role dimensions (masculinity, femininity, androgyny, and undifferentiated traits) and to determine potential moderators (participant characteristics, study instruments and sociocultural factors) of the relationship. Methods: Of 4481 initially identified records in three electronic databases, 58 studies published 1978 to 2021 were included for meta-analysis. Results: (1) Association of depression and gender role is moderated by study year and human development indices. (2) Masculinity is a protective factor for depression, while this dominance has declined as life expectancy increases. (3) A negative, weak but significant association between depression and femininity is observed in women, and college students, which starts to emerge with the gradual increase in the national education and income index from 1990 to 2019. (4) Androgynous individuals reported the lowest level of depression as compared with other gender role orientations (masculine, feminine, and undifferentiated trait group). This disparity is becoming more extreme with life expectancy and per capita income index increases. Limitations: English-language studies were only included in this review. Conclusions: Androgyny might be the most ideal gender role protecting both women and men from depression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)261-278
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
Volume294
Early online date16 Jul 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study is supported by the following: Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions [grant number 2019SHIBS0003 ]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 31671150 ]; Guangdong Key Project [grant number 2018B030335001 ]; Guangdong Major Program [grant number 2016KZDXM009 ]; Innovative Team Program in Higher Education of Guangdong [grant number 2015KCXTD009 ]; Shenzhen Basic Research Scheme [grant number JCYJ20150729104249783 ]; Shenzhen Peacock Plan [grant number KQTD2015033016104926 ]; Start-up Research Grant of Shenzhen University [grant number 20200807163056003]; Start-Up Research Grant [Peacock Plan: 20191105534C].

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Androgyny
  • Depression
  • Femininity
  • Gender role
  • Human development index
  • Masculinity

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