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Gender differences in self-reports of depression: The response bias hypothesis revisited

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sigmon, ST; Pells, JJ; Boulard, NE; Whitcomb-Smith, S; Edenfield, TM; Hermann, BA; Lamattina, SM; Schartel, JG; Kubik, E
Published in: Sex Roles
September 1, 2005

This study was designed to revisit the response bias hypothesis, which posits that gender differences in depression prevalence rates may reflect a tendency for men to underreport depressive symptoms. In this study, we examined aspects of gender role socialization (gender-related traits, socially desirable responding, beliefs about mental health and depression) that may contribute to a response bias in self-reports of depression. In addition, we investigated the impact of two contextual variables (i.e., cause of depression and level of intrusiveness of experimental follow-up) on self-reports of depressive symptoms. Results indicated that men, but not women, reported fewer depressive symptoms when consent forms indicated that a more involved follow-up might occur. Further, results indicated differential responding by men and women on measures of gender-related traits, mental health beliefs, and beliefs about depression and predictors of depressed mood. Together, our results support the assertion that, in specific contexts, a response bias explanation warrants further consideration in investigations of gender differences in rates of self-reported depression. © 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.

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Published In

Sex Roles

DOI

EISSN

1573-2762

ISSN

0360-0025

Publication Date

September 1, 2005

Volume

53

Issue

5-6

Start / End Page

401 / 411

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 4405 Gender studies
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1699 Other Studies in Human Society
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
 

Citation

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Sigmon, S. T., Pells, J. J., Boulard, N. E., Whitcomb-Smith, S., Edenfield, T. M., Hermann, B. A., … Kubik, E. (2005). Gender differences in self-reports of depression: The response bias hypothesis revisited. Sex Roles, 53(5–6), 401–411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-6762-3
Sigmon, S. T., J. J. Pells, N. E. Boulard, S. Whitcomb-Smith, T. M. Edenfield, B. A. Hermann, S. M. Lamattina, J. G. Schartel, and E. Kubik. “Gender differences in self-reports of depression: The response bias hypothesis revisited.” Sex Roles 53, no. 5–6 (September 1, 2005): 401–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-6762-3.
Sigmon ST, Pells JJ, Boulard NE, Whitcomb-Smith S, Edenfield TM, Hermann BA, et al. Gender differences in self-reports of depression: The response bias hypothesis revisited. Sex Roles. 2005 Sep 1;53(5–6):401–11.
Sigmon, S. T., et al. “Gender differences in self-reports of depression: The response bias hypothesis revisited.” Sex Roles, vol. 53, no. 5–6, Sept. 2005, pp. 401–11. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s11199-005-6762-3.
Sigmon ST, Pells JJ, Boulard NE, Whitcomb-Smith S, Edenfield TM, Hermann BA, Lamattina SM, Schartel JG, Kubik E. Gender differences in self-reports of depression: The response bias hypothesis revisited. Sex Roles. 2005 Sep 1;53(5–6):401–411.
Journal cover image

Published In

Sex Roles

DOI

EISSN

1573-2762

ISSN

0360-0025

Publication Date

September 1, 2005

Volume

53

Issue

5-6

Start / End Page

401 / 411

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 4405 Gender studies
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1699 Other Studies in Human Society
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services