Cultural and gender differences in responses to depressive mood: a study of college students in Ghana and the U.S.A (original) (raw)
Related papers
An Autoethnographic Exploration of Depression in Africa
Psychology & Psychological Research International Journal, 2023
While most mental health issues in Africa are viewed as a curse or a form of spiritual attack, and people who suffer from them get discriminated against, depression is somehow viewed as a "luxury sickness". It is viewed as a sickness for the wealthy or those in the developed world to pamper themselves into doing nothing. It is assumed to be nonexistent in many parts of Africa because it is believed that such situations can easily be mitigated with spiritual help. This autoethnographic study of the lived experience of employment termination that led to depression is used to explore how people in Africa live through, understand, and overcome the phenomenon with limited knowledge and clinical psychological services.
Manifestations of affective disturbance in sub-Saharan Africa: Key themes
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2007
Background: Affective disorder, once seen as rare in sub-Saharan Africa, is now viewed as more common. There are however challenges in assessing rates of depression, exploring manifestations of depression, and understanding risk factors for depression, especially those related to gender. Aim: To identify key themes and new directions for research on affective disorder in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular reference to gender issues. Methods: Interpretive review of selected literature, and theoretical analysis. Results: There are gender differences in manifestations and rates of depression in sub-Saharan Africa, and there are forms of presentation (largely somatic, based on interpersonal relationships, or spiritual in nature) which may obscure the detection of depression. Studies are consistent however that when depressive symptoms are sought and are present, these are reasonably easy to elicit. Limitations: This was not a systematic review, and the substantial grey literature from sub-Saharan Africa was not reviewed. For many countries, there are no data available. Conclusions: Affective disorder, when properly sought for through both qualitative and quantitative methods, has been found to be common in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a paucity of research on interventions with affective disorder in this region.
African Journal of Psychiatry, 2014
Objective: The growth of the older adult population in Africa demands more knowledge about their chronic health problems, such as depression. The aim of this paper is to estimate depression prevalence and identify correlates of depression among older adults in Ghana and South Africa. Method: The WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE study) was conducted in Ghana and South Africa from 2007 to 2009 by the World Health Organization, using a standardized questionnaire among an adult population. Our analyses included 4289 adults aged 50 and above in Ghana and 3668 in South Africa. Depression was measured using self-reported symptoms over the last 12 months according to ICD-10 criteria. Results: The prevalence of mild depression was 6.7% and 2.7% in Ghana and South Africa, respectively (p<0.001), with a gender difference only in Ghana. Factors independently associated with depression among women in Ghana were migration and lack of current work.. Similarly, higher age, lack of current work and lower quality of life were independently associated with depression among women in South Africa, whereas higher age and lower quality of life were associated with depression among men in South Africa. Conclusions: Ghana had a higher depression rate than South Africa and we identified different factors associated with depression among men and women in these two countries. Our finding underscores the need for culture-and gender-sensitive approaches for the prevention and management of depression among the older adult population in Ghana and South Africa.
Understandings of depression: an interview study of Yoruba, Bangladeshi and White British people
Family Practice, 2006
Background. Depression remains a major public health problem, but little is known about the views and understandings of depression held by many ethnic groups. Aim. To explore views and understandings of depression in three ethnic groups-Yoruba, Sylheti-speaking Bangladeshi and White British-living in South London. Design. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews, using vignettes describing depressed individuals. Setting. General practice and the community in Southwark, South London, UK. Participants. 20 Yoruba, 20 Bangladeshi and 20 White British people, recruited from primary care. Methods. Interviews (in English for Yoruba and White British, in Sylheti for the Bangladeshi participants) were recorded and transcribed. Atlas ti software was used to organize the data. Results. Views on the causes and cures for depression were diverse. A diagnosis of depression can have adverse social consequences in all groups. Magic had a role in both causation and cure in the Yoruba and to a lesser extent in the Bangladeshi groups. Religion was important for many people in all groups. Family factors were dominant in the Bangladeshi participants, whilst the White British often identified more 'psychological' causes of depression. Coping methods and health-seeking behaviours included religion, family, friends and neighbours, and becoming more active. Formal psychiatric interventions and taking antidepressants were not priorities. Conclusion. Cultural models of depression, including its causes and treatment, are diverse, and are different among cultural groups. This study raises questions about the value of Western approaches to mild and moderate depression in these groups of patients.
Archives of women's mental health, 2018
It is still unclear whether the gender difference in the rate of depression cuts across cultures or is specific to some depressive symptoms. This study evaluated the gender difference in current prevalence, symptoms, comorbidity, and correlates of depression in Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 11,246 adult participants (6525 females and 4712 males) in a face-to-face household survey were assessed for symptoms of depression. They were also assessed for symptoms of anxiety, somatic symptoms, alcohol and substance use disorders, and disability. The difference between the point prevalence for symptoms of depression in females (6.3%, s.e 0.3) and males (4.4%, s.e 0.3) was significant (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.14-1.59). Compared to males, females had significantly higher rates for anhedonia (OR 1.20), hypersomnia (OR 2.15), fatigue (OR 1.49), guilt/worthless feeling (OR 1.41), poor concentration (OR 1.32), psychomotor retardation (OR 1.51), and suicidal ideation (OR 1.32). However, poor appetite (OR 0...
Depression among Ethiopian Adults: Cross-Sectional Study
Psychiatry Journal, 2016
Background. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide and is the second leading cause of disability and major contributor to suicide.Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 779 adults residing in Northwest Ethiopia. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select study participants. Depression was measured by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Bivariate as well as multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors.pvalue of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Result. The prevalence of depression was 17.5%, where 10.7% of patients were with mild depression, 4.2% were with moderate depression, 1.9% were with moderately severe depression, and 0.6% had severe depression. Being female, age of 55 years and above, poor social support, having a comorbidity medical illness, current tobacco smoking, and living alone were significantly associated with depression.Conclusion and Recommendation. Th...