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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 3/2010

01-03-2010 | Original Paper

The robustness of the gender effect on help seeking for mental health needs in three subcultures in Israel

Authors: Daphna Levinson, Anneke Ifrah

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 3/2010

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Abstract

Objective

This study examines the extent to which gender differences in use of services in three subcultures in Israel can be accounted for by the psychosocial differences between women and men, and by differences in the prevalence of common psychiatric disorders and levels of distress.

Method

A representative sample extracted from the National Population Register of non-institutionalized residents aged 21 or older of Israel was used in this cross-sectional survey. Data on health, use of services and socio demographic background were collected using face-to-face computer-assisted interviews. DSM-IV disorders were assessed using the WMH-CIDI.

Results

Gender effects in the three different subcultures remained significant in predicting the use of services for mental health purposes after adjustment for educational level, family status, chronic illness, experience of violence, presence of mental disorder and psychological distress.

Conclusion

The higher rates of help seeking in women could not be explained by psychosocial differences and are likely related to women’s greater readiness to articulate and communicate distress.
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Metadata
Title
The robustness of the gender effect on help seeking for mental health needs in three subcultures in Israel
Authors
Daphna Levinson
Anneke Ifrah
Publication date
01-03-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0079-4

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