Sex and Age Differences in Depression: A Quantitative Synthesis of Published Research

Abstract

It is commonly believed that depression is more common in females than in males. A quantitative synthesis of published research showed, however, that the sex difference is age specific. There is little sex difference in either childhood or advanced old age, but a notable sex difference in middle life. This sex difference appears because rates for females rise sharply from childhood to adulthood and then decline somewhat in old age. By contrast, rates for males show a small rise in early adulthood but are otherwise fairly stable throughout life. The age-specific nature of these sex differences may be explainable in terms of differences in social roles at various ages.