Higher prevalence & incidence rates of depressive disorder in women compared with men are among the recurring findings from epidemiologic & clinical studies. The literature suggests that this is not due to a lower need for treatment of depression in men. In the context of the concept ‘male depression’ (MD), it is often argued that men tend to have so called ‘non-typical’ depressive symptoms. These symptoms (such as aggressiveness, irritability, alcohol use, risk-taking & antisocial behavior) are rarely considered in the diagnosis of depressive disorders, which may lead to underdiagnosis. With regard to the occurrence of ‘non-typical’ depressive symptoms and the concept MD, the importance of masculine personality traits is often discussed. The topic of the session is the extent to which gender-related personality traits such as masculine, feminine, androgynous & undifferentiated are associated with the occurrence and severity of ‘non-typical’ and ‘typical’ depressive symptoms in women and men with a depressive disorder.

The results of a study in a clinical setting will be presented. The aim of the study was to investigate whether above mentioned gender-related personality traits are associated with increased severity of depressive symptoms and whether there are differences between women & men.

Depressive symptoms (GMDS & BDI II) and gender-related personality traits (GEPAQ) were assessed in female & male patients (≥ 18 years) with an unipolar depressive disorder (ICD-10). Participants were recruited from inpatient settings & day clinics of specialized psychiatric-psychotherapeutic hospitals in Germany. The multicenter study with a cross-sectional design has been completed. Data from the clinical sample were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis.

Multiple linear regression analysis: criteria variable GMDS & predicting variable GEPAQ (masculine pt) b-coefficient women = -1.36 (n.s.) & b-coefficient men = -1.48 (p ≤ .01); criteria variable GMDS & predicting variable GEPAQ (feminin pt) b-coefficient women = .12 (n.s.) & b-coefficient men = .79 (n.s.); criteria variable BDI II & predicting variable GEPAQ (masculine pt) b-coefficient women = -1.72 (n.s.) & b-coefficient men = -4.23 (p ≤ .01); criteria variable BDI II & predicting variable GEPAQ (feminin pt) b-coefficient women = .95 (n.s.) & b-coefficient men = .-24 (n.s.)

Gender-related personality traits are associated with the occurrence and severity of ‘non-typical’ & ‘typical’ depressive symptoms. They should be considered in the diagnosis & treatment of depression. Gender differences have also been identified. In men, the expression of masculine personality traits does not lead to an increase in depressive symptoms, especially not in ‘non-typical’ depressive symptoms, as was originally thought. Based on these and other recent findings, the concept of MD can be critically discussed.

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