Gender Differences in Depression: Assessing Mediational Effects of Overt Behaviors and Environmental Reward through Daily Diary Monitoring

Abstract

Gender differences in the prevalence of depression are well documented. To further explore the relation between gender and depression, this study used daily diaries to examine gender differences within thirteen behavioral domains and whether differential frequency of overt behaviors and environmental reward mediated the relationship between gender and depression severity. The sample included 82 undergraduate students [66% females; 84% Caucasian; Mean age = 20.2 years]. Overall, females engaged in a significantly greater breadth of behavioral domains and reported a higher level of environmental reward. Females spent more time in the domains of health/hygiene, spiritual activities, and eating with others. Males spent more time in the domains of physical activity, sexual activity, and hobbies and recreational experiences. Females found social activities, passive/sedentary behaviors, eating with others, and engagement in “other” activities more rewarding. Gender had a significant direct effect on depression severity, with females reporting increased depression. This effect was attenuated by the mediator (total environmental reward) such that to the extent females exhibited increased environmental reward, the gender effect on depression was attenuated. These data support behavioral models of depression, indicate increased reinforcement sensitivity among females, and have clinical relevance in the context of assessment and behavioral activation interventions for depression.

Psychological problems among the Palestinian University students on the West Bank

“…It can be observed that these values are below the midpoint of the scale (< 3).Anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms were statistically higher in females than in males. This result is supported by some previous studies in Gaza (Abadsa & Thabet, 2012), Turkey (Bayram (Dyrbye, Thomas, & Shanafelt, 2006), U.S.A (Jenkins et al, 2013;Rosenthal & Schreiner, 2000;Ryba & Hopko, 2012). In Palestine, being an Arabic country, females get used to stay close with their mothers almost all the time since childhood.…”

Profiling coping strategies in male and female rats: Potential neurobehavioral markers of increased resilience to depressive symptoms

“…Due to reported sex differences in susceptibility to depression with females experiencing the disorder at nearly twice the rates as males (Kessler, 2003; Nolen-Hoeksema, 2001; Ryba & Hopko, 2012), both males and females were assessed. Relevant behavioral responses were observed throughout the chronic unpredictable stress exposure, dry land spatial task and subsequent probe trial.…”

Preventive Mental Health at School

“…Schools need to create an atmosphere where all views are respected through antibias training for school staff members (Ryan & Martin, 2000 ). Teachers and other school professionals need information about the complicated concerns of GLBT parents such as custody, daily prejudice, and information about the strengths of families that are not traditional.…”

“…Yet another group of researchers found that self-criticism interacted with symptoms of depression to predict decreased grade point averages mostly in boys (Shahar et al, 2006 ). Students who have less skill in obtaining reinforcement in their environments tend to exhibit greater depression (Ryba & Hopko, 2012 ). Also to consider are factors which exacerbate anxiety and depression such as insuffi cient sleep.…”