Gender Differential Morbidity in Quality of Life and Coping Among People Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Disorders.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Psychosocial and cultural determinants have a special influence on the development, manifestation and prognosis of common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. The objectives of this study were to define the psychosocial profile of the people most vulnerable to the development of these health problems, analyse the symptomatology and health determinants that may influence these from a gender perspective, and evaluate the quality of life and coping strategies among the adult population with this diagnosis in a rural area of Catalonia (Spain).

METHODS

An observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted on 180 people diagnosed with anxiety or depression. Patients completed an ad hoc sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Checklist (LSB-50), the Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D-5L) and the Brief Cope Inventory (COPE-28).

RESULTS

Women aged 45-64 with a low socioeconomic profile may be more vulnerable to common mental disorders, although psychiatric symptomatology was more pronounced in men. Women were more likely to have problems with mobility (aOR= 2.93, = 0.039) and daily activities (aOR = 2.75, = 0.033), as well as lower self-perceived health scores ( = 0.002). Women used active coping, venting and seeking social support as coping strategies, while men used behavioural disengagement.

CONCLUSIONS

It has been observed that the people most susceptible to developing depression and anxiety disorders may have a specific profile. Although a greater number of women have these common mental disorders, men tend to have more noticeable symptomatology. The coping strategies most used also differ according to gender.