Discuss Cultural and Gender Variations in Prevalence of Disorders By Mr Daniel Hansson

Prevalence - Anorexia Lifetime prevalence of Anorexia nervosa in females is 0.5%Lifetime prevalence of Anorexia nervosa in females is 0.5% 10 times more likely in females than in males10 times more likely in females than in males More common in western societies but is increasing in eastern societiesMore common in western societies but is increasing in eastern societies

Gender Differences in Prevalence of Depression Women – 10-25%Women – 10-25% Men – 5-12%Men – 5-12% The National comorbidity study: 1.7 American woman for every man has experienced at least one episode of depression. Roughly the same ratio has been found in recent studies in nine other countries, including Canada, Brazil, Germany and JapanThe National comorbidity study: 1.7 American woman for every man has experienced at least one episode of depression. Roughly the same ratio has been found in recent studies in nine other countries, including Canada, Brazil, Germany and Japan

Cultural Differences in Prevalence of Depression Seattle, Washington: 6.3 %Seattle, Washington: 6.3 % China: 4 %China: 4 % Verona, Italy: 4.7 %Verona, Italy: 4.7 % Groningen, Germany: 15.9 %Groningen, Germany: 15.9 % Manchester, United Kingdom: 16.9 %Manchester, United Kingdom: 16.9 % Ankara, Turkey: 11.6 %Ankara, Turkey: 11.6 % Nagasaki, Japan: 2.6 %Nagasaki, Japan: 2.6 %

Why are There Cultural Differences in Prevalence of Disorders? Different cultures have different concepts of what is abnormal behaviorDifferent cultures have different concepts of what is abnormal behavior Social problems/pressures and cultural differences may lead to a higher prevalence of disorders in some culturesSocial problems/pressures and cultural differences may lead to a higher prevalence of disorders in some cultures

Different cultures have different concepts of what is abnormal behavior Okello and Ekblad (2006): In Uganda depression is seen as “illness of thoughts” and not a biological illness. Therefore, it is believed that depressed do not need medicine, unless the disorder is chronic or recurring.Okello and Ekblad (2006): In Uganda depression is seen as “illness of thoughts” and not a biological illness. Therefore, it is believed that depressed do not need medicine, unless the disorder is chronic or recurring. Cooper et al (1972): New York psychiatrists are twice as likely to diagnose patients with schizophrenia than London psychiatrists, who in turn are twice as likely to diagnose mania or depression when shown the same videotaped clinical interviews.Cooper et al (1972): New York psychiatrists are twice as likely to diagnose patients with schizophrenia than London psychiatrists, who in turn are twice as likely to diagnose mania or depression when shown the same videotaped clinical interviews. Different countries use different diagnostic tools: E.g. ICD-10, CCMD, DSM-IV-TRDifferent countries use different diagnostic tools: E.g. ICD-10, CCMD, DSM-IV-TR Homosexuality was considered to be abnormal until DSM-III (1980). It is still considered abnormal in many countries.Homosexuality was considered to be abnormal until DSM-III (1980). It is still considered abnormal in many countries. Unmarried mothers in Britain and political dissidents in the Soviet unions were once confined to institutions for abnormality. The tendency for American black slaves in the 1800s to try flee captivity was considered to be a mental illness. It is claimed that psychiatry also have been used to silence political dissidents in China (e.g. the Falungong movement)Unmarried mothers in Britain and political dissidents in the Soviet unions were once confined to institutions for abnormality. The tendency for American black slaves in the 1800s to try flee captivity was considered to be a mental illness. It is claimed that psychiatry also have been used to silence political dissidents in China (e.g. the Falungong movement)

Social problems/pressures and cultural differences may lead to higher a prevalence of disorders in some cultures Becker (1995): After the introduction of television in Fiji, eating disorders in women increasedBecker (1995): After the introduction of television in Fiji, eating disorders in women increased Suicide is more common in poorer countriesSuicide is more common in poorer countries Chiao & Blinsky (2010): Depression is associated with individualism. Individualism is negatively correlated with the frequency of the short allele related to serotonin transportersChiao & Blinsky (2010): Depression is associated with individualism. Individualism is negatively correlated with the frequency of the short allele related to serotonin transporters In cultures with high levels of community, religiosity, and traditional family roles, depression is less prevalent (e.g. Wu and Anthony 2000)In cultures with high levels of community, religiosity, and traditional family roles, depression is less prevalent (e.g. Wu and Anthony 2000)

Why are there gender differences in prevalence of disorders? The are genetic differences between men and women in susceptibility for a disorderThe are genetic differences between men and women in susceptibility for a disorder There are cultural differences in expectations of men and women which contribute to different disordersThere are cultural differences in expectations of men and women which contribute to different disorders

The are genetic differences between men and women in susceptibility to a disorder Zubenko: Some chromosomes are more likely to contain genes that promote depression. These chromosomes are more common in women than men.Zubenko: Some chromosomes are more likely to contain genes that promote depression. These chromosomes are more common in women than men.

There are cultural differences in expectations of men and women which contributes to different disorders Becker (1995): After the introduction of television in Fiji, eating disorders in women increasedBecker (1995): After the introduction of television in Fiji, eating disorders in women increased Bulimia and anorexia are most common among upper and middle class Caucasian women.Bulimia and anorexia are most common among upper and middle class Caucasian women.