Are Men Who Are Divorced More Likely to Experience Depression Than Women - Research Paper Example

Are Men who are Divorced More Likely to Experience Depression than Women? Depression is one of the most common psychological problems seen in this world. There are many reasons cited for this problem. Divorce is a major reason cited for the occurrence of depression problems. Both divorced men and women are vulnerable to depression problems. However, there are different opinions about the abilities of men and women in handling the pressure of a divorce. Some people believe that men have better abilities in tolerating the after effects of a divorce whereas others believe that women have better abilities in doing so. The present study analyses these arguments and tries to answer the question: are men who are divorced more likely to experience depression than women? Table of Contents Abstract ii 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Background 3 1.2 Aim and objectives 3 1.3 Research question 3 1.4 Significance of the study 3 2.0 Literature review 4 3.0 Methodology 5 3.1 Research Design 3 3.2 Research philosophy 3 3.3 Data collection methods 3 3.4 Data analysis 3 3.5 Research limitations 3 3.6 Ethical considerations 3 4.0 Findings 20 5.0 Discussion 24 6.0 Conclusion 31 References 29 1.0 Introduction Depression is one of the major mental problems facing by the people across the world irrespective of the differences in the age, gender, culture or socioeconomic backgrounds. According to Klein, &Wender (2005), a substantial portion of depressives kill themselves. In other words, if untreated, depression may cause severe problems in the life of a person. A lot of reasons are usually cited as the causes of depression. Some of them are: unpleasant life experiences, frustrations, failure to fulfil personal, social and professional commitments etc. Gilbert (2009) mentioned that too much and too little closeness with someone can generate stress and then depression among some people. For example, the loss of a beloved person or friend may create depression among some people. Klein & Wender (2005) mentioned that depressive illness is often triggered by the death of a beloved one. Depression appears in many forms. It is not necessary that the symptoms of depression remain the same in all cases. The general symptoms of depression are: feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, loss of appetite for food and daily activities, weight changes, sleep changes, irritability or restlessness, loss of energy, self-loathing, concentration problems, unexplained aches and pains etc (Understanding Depression, 2011). Even though both men and women are vulnerable to depression problems, some studies have shown that women are twice as likely to develop depression as men (WebMD, 2015). This is understandable since women usually considered being inferior to men in terms of physical and mental strengths even though there may be some exceptions. At the same time, there are only few studies that have investigated the influence of divorce in causing depression among men and women. 1.1 Aim and objectives There are different opinions about the abilities of divorced men and women in tolerating the after effects of a divorce. The major aim of the present study is to investigate the abilities of men and women in tolerating the mental problems generated after a divorce. The objectives of the present study are: To investigate the capabilities of men and women in tolerating the problems generated by a divorce To identify the reasons for the occurrence of depression after a divorce To evaluate the life of men and women after a divorce 1.2 Research question Are men who are divorced more likely to experience depression than women? 1.3 Hypothesizes Many hypothesizes are there about the divorce induced depression among men and women. Some of them are listed below Divorced men are more vulnerable to depression problems compared to divorced women Divorced men are less vulnerable to depression problems compared to divorced women Both divorced men and divorced women have equally vulnerable to depression problems 1.4 Significance of the study The belief of people in marriages is getting decreased as time goes on. Life philosophies such as same sex marriages and living together are currently getting more popularity because of the loss of belief among the people in marriages. At the same time, majority of the people all over the world have immense belief in marriage even now. However, divorce rates in this world are growing day by day. It is difficult for the people to tolerate the mental problems generated by divorces. Both men and women are facing so many mental and social problems after a divorce. Under such circumstances, the present study is extremely relevant 2.0 Literature review 2.1 Divorce and depression The connection or relationship between depression and divorce is controversial. There are many scholars who believe that divorce has the potential to stimulate depression. For example, Kamiya et al (2013) conducted a study in Ireland among 8504 divorced men and women and concluded that divorce has immense potential to stimulate depression. They found that marital status is a significant independent predictor of depression life, especially in later life. They found that later life circumstances mediate between some marital statuses and depressive symptoms. At the same time, some modern studies have proved that divorce need not cause or trigger depression in all cases. A new study published in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal published by the Association for Psychological Science, mentioned that divorce can increase the risk of depression for some people, but not others (Divorce Study Identifies Who Is Most At Risk For Post-Divorce Depression, 2013) From the above studies, it is evident that the modern generation is more capable of adjusting with the mental problems generated by divorce compared to generations in the past. That is why modern studies indicate that divorce need not stimulate depression in all the cases. This is understandable since the belief in marital relationship among the people all over the world are decreasing day by day. That is why life concepts such as staying together or same sex marriage is getting more popularity nowadays. The destruction of morality and ethics in social life is another reason for the better tolerance towards psychological problems generated by divorce in the present society. Since marriage is taken lightly by many of the modern generation, its break down may not affect them very much. At the same time, majority of the people in this world are still considering marriage as a serious activity. Therefore, it is impossible to rule out the possibility of occurrence of depression among divorced men and women completely. 2.2 Depression among men and women after divorce A study conducted in Canada by Statistics Canada has shown that the number of depression cases among divorced men is almost double as that among divorced women. This study found that both divorced men and women are vulnerable to depression problems compared to the people who remained with their spouses. However, men who had divorced or separated were six times more likely to report depression problems compared with men who remained married (Nauert, 2007). Women normally have better capabilities in adjusting with the mental problems caused by divorce compared to men. One of the major reasons for this is related to social support. Divorced men are usually reluctant in seeking social support in order to get rid of their emotional problems after the divorce. On the other hand, women usually are not much reluctant in seeking social support when they face emotional problems after a divorce. It should be noted that women usually like socializing more than men. As a result of that, they are ready to share their emotional problems with friends and family members. Thus they will be able to shed their stress and emotional problems before they acquire the proportion of depression. The study conducted by Bruce and Kim (1992) also supported the findings of Nauert. Bruce and Kim conducted a study to assess the relationship between marital problems and depression. They found that martial disruption is a major reason for the depression problems among men and women. Another finding of this study was that men had a greater risk of a first-onset major depression after a divorce incident. In other words, the authors found significant differences between men and women in the rate of occurrence of major depression after a marriage break down. According to Andrew, who has been divorced for many years, “divorce is the closest thing to rape for a man.” It seems a totally inappropriate comparison, far too extreme. How can separation possibly feel like such a violation? “Because it can be so harsh,” he states, “and it never goes away – and in the same way that women feel powerless and often shunned and unacknowledged by the courts, so do men when it comes to divorce” (Cavendish, 2013). The views of Andrew sum up the feelings of an average man who was forced to divorce. Divorced men usually develop the same feeling as that developed by a woman who was raped. A woman, who was raped by a man, may develop a feeling that she had lost everything. She may curse the culprit during her entire remaining part of life. The memories and feelings about the rape incident will never be disappeared in her life. Same thing will take place in the life of a divorced man who is unable to or unwilling to remarry. He may curse his ex-wife till his end of life. Only negative feelings will drive his life after the divorce. The findings of Cavendish definitely support the argument that men experience more emotional problems than women after a divorce. At the same time, the study conducted by Das (2013) among US adults yielded slightly different results. The authors have investigated the associations of spousal loss with depression and found that spousal loss can cause mental, social, behavioral, and biological issues among men and women. However, divorced women are more vulnerable to physiological problems and these physiological problems may cause depression like problems among them. When analyzing deeply, it is evident that the findings of Das are not much different from the findings of the other researchers mentioned above. It is a fact that women face more physiological problems than men after spousal loss. For example, healthy sex life is necessary for women to keep the menstrual problems away. Sex hormones may create more problems to the females than males after the loss of their spouse. Such problems may affect them deeply and they may develop psychological problems like depression. At the same time, Das has never argued that men are less vulnerable to depression than women after a divorce incident. Trivedi et al. (2009) also conducted a study to know more about how divorce causes depression among males and females. Their findings have partially supported the findings of Das (2013). They found that the conditions of men in developing, developed and underdeveloped countries remain extremely different. In developed countries both men and women are enjoying better human rights and living standards compared to that in developing and underdeveloped countries. As a result of that many of the divorced men in developed countries are ready to remarry after a divorce. At the same time, divorced women in these countries are not much interested in remarriage. They like to lead an independent life after divorce since they are more educated, economically independent and aware of their rights. At the same time, such independent life or lonely life would result in psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and substance dependence (Trivedi et al. 2009). The findings of Trivedi et al indicate that divorced women who are not ready to remarry may develop depression later in their life. This is understandable since socializing is a necessary activity for men and women to keep their mental health intact. 3.0 Methodology 3.1 research question and hypothesis The present study tries to answer the question: Are men who are divorced more likely to experience depression than women? As part of this study, the three major hypothesizes tested are: 1) Divorced men are more vulnerable to depression problems compared to divorced women, 2) Divorced men are less vulnerable to depression problems compared to divorced women and 3 Both divorced men and divorced women have equally vulnerable to depression problems. 3.2 Data collection methods A mixed research method is used for the data collection of the present study. Mixed research method is a research method in which both quantitative as well as qualitative techniques involved (Saunders et al., 2009). The ability of the researcher in using the available resources properly is extremely important while conducting a mixed research (Bryman, 1992) since different ontological and epistemological assumptions may come across the researcher during this type of research (Blaikie, 1991). “While doing qualitative research, the researcher selects individuals and sites that are capable of providing useful information, for his project” (Creswell, 2006, p.112). On the other hand, while doing quantitative research, the researcher uses a method which is suitable for collecting statistics and numbers related to the research project (Creswell, 2003, p. 109). Both primary and secondary researches are conducted for the data collection of the present study. Primary data are collected from the given data set. The given data (Evaluation of Depression Intervention by Psychiatrist, Psychologist, and Social Worker (N = 57 clients)) is used for the present study. This study took place at a mental health agency that provides individual therapy for persons experiencing symptoms of depression. The providers are psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers who each provide therapy. On the other hand, secondary data are collected from articles, journals, books, newspapers and other printed sources and websites. 3.2 Measurement of variables Even though the given data set consists of many variables such as Gender, Age, ethnicity, family income, religion, marital status, Type of clinician and Depression Level at Pre and Post test, the variables measured for the present study are: gender, marital status and clinician 3.3 Sampling method A convenience sampling method was implemented to gain participants for the study. Convenience sampling is a sampling technique in which subjects are selected based on their convenience, accessibility and proximity to the researcher (Explorable, 2015). 3.4 Study design ­ Each participant was provided with a study description and confidentiality form prior to the start of treatment to determine if they would voluntarily participate. This file contains basic demographic data regarding clients, the type of clinician treating them, and an assessment of their progress by the clinicians from a pre- and post-treatment perspective. This is an evaluation of the different types of therapeutic interventions administered by a psychiatrist, psychologist, and social worker. The file contains demographic data on 57 clients their and their pre and post treatment scores on a depression inventory used to measure changes in the client’s level of functioning (a higher score means a better level of functioning). (See appendix for more details about the study design) 3.6 Data Analysis Data analysis is the process of cleaning of the raw data, and the transformation of the cleaned raw data into the finished goods or conclusions. Data analysis of the present study is done with the help of deduction, induction and abduction methods. If X => Y, and Y => Z, then X => Z (deduction) If X => Y, and X => Z, then Y => Z (induction) If X => Z, and Y => Z, then X => Z (abduction) (Apgaylard, 2013) Deduction method of data analysis is usually preferred in academic research projects, because of its ability to give 100% right results all the time. At the same time, induction and abduction are incapable of providing 100% right results all the time. In fact deduction works on facts whereas induction and abduction work on probabilities. It is impossible to use only deduction methods in academic researches since this method of data analysis is incapable of analysing unexpected data. Since the arrival of unexpected data is common in research works, the researcher will be forced to use induction and abduction methods also for the analysis of such data. Deduction and induction can be represented schematically as follows. Theory observations/findings (Deduction) Observations/findings Theory/Induction (Bryman and Bell 2007, p.13) It is evident from the above representations that deduction is the process of making an argument from theories whereas induction is the process of making theories from observations or findings. Results Since the present study concentrates only on the depression problems among divorced men and women, data related to such population are discussed in this chapter. Out of the 57 subjects studied, only 16 were divorced (9 males and 7 females) (See appendix for more details of the study) From the above statistics it is evident that the number of divorced males suffered from depression problems is more than that suffered by the divorced females. In other words, the findings of this study are quite similar to the findings of the previous studies. The general assumption is such that men have more mental power than women in overcoming emotional problems generated by divorce. However, studies have shown that the above hypothesise is totally wrong. Out of the 16 divorced subjects, 13 approached a psychiatrist, 1 approached a psychologist and 2 approached a sociologist for treatment It is evident from the above figure that most of the depressed patients have more faith in the abilities of psychiatrists in treating their problems. That is why 13 out of the 16 subjects approached psychiatrists for treatment. The following tables provide information about how the male and female subjects improved after the treatment. Pre-test and post test scores of divorced men Gender Ethnicity Age FamInc Religion MaritalSt Clinician Pretest Posttest 2 1 4 1 5 1 2 65 45 2 5 2 2 5 1 3 25 65 2 5 3 1 3 4 1 40 65 2 3 1 4 3 1 1 10 60 2 1 2 1 3 2 1 25 30 2 5 2 2 3 1 1 40 55 2 5 2 5 3 2 1 35 60 2 3 2 3 6 2 1 20 85 2 1 2 2 3 3 1 10 60 Pre-test and post test scores of divorced women Gender Ethnicity Age FamInc Religion MaritalSt Clinician Pretest Posttest 1 3 2 2 5 1 1 35 70 1 4 1 2 1 1 1 45 85 1 3 4 2 4 1 3 45 75 1 2 3 3 1 3 1 50 40 1 2 2 1 3 1 1 35 75 1 4 2 1 1 2 1 25 25 1 5 3 2 4 2 1 30 40 It is evident from the above tables that some of the patients have shown tremendous improvement after the treatment while some others have shown little or no improvement at all. In some cases, treatment resulted in worsening the depression problem. Gender difference has not much influence on the recovery of the depressives. As mentioned earlier, the present study made of the categories gender, marital status and clinician from the given data set. The major findings from the above study can be summarised as follows: Divorced men are more likely to get depressed than divorced females Men seek more professional help than women after a divorce  The findings of Nauert (2007) supported the findings of the above study. Some of the findings from the study of Nauert are given below Both men and women are more vulnerable to depression problems compared to the men and women remained with their spouses 12% of the divorced people have the chances of developing depression Only 3% of the people who remained married reported depression Divorced men are six times more likely to report depression than men who remained married. Divorced women are only 3.5 times more likely to experience depression than women who remained married. Men are nearly twice as likely to experience depression after a divorce compared to women 19% of men who were divorced found a decline in social support whereas only 6% men who remained married found a drop Only 11% of women who were divorced found a decline in social support whereas only 5% women who remained married found a drop (Nauert, 2007). Another study has shown that 10 percent of people who have no previous history of depression reported depression after divorce (Divorce Study Identifies Who Is Most At Risk For Post-Divorce Depression, 2013). From the above observation, it is logical to assume that people who have depression symptoms before divorce may intensify these symptoms after the divorce or separation. Discussion Present study proved that divorced men are more vulnerable to depression problems compared to divorced women. In other words, first hypothesis of the present study is right whereas the second and third hypotheses are wrong. Men and women are significantly different in their abilities to tolerate or manage mental stress. While most of the men try to hide their mental stress, most of the women try to share their mental stress with friends and family members. In other words, women like socializing much more than men. As a result of that, they are able to shed their mental stress before it acquires dangerous proportions. It should be noted that the accumulation of mental stress is the major reason for many of the mental problems such as depression. Depression is seen most commonly among divorced men who are not ready to remarry. Remarriage usually helps people to forget about the bad feelings and memories about their old marriage. While staying alone, majority of the divorced men develop a feeling of vengeance towards their old wife. Most of them consider divorce same way like how a woman treats a rape incident. Divorced men believe that their life was spoiled by their ex-wife. All these negative feelings contribute heavily towards the development of depression among divorced men. Divorced women on the other hand have better abilities in managing their mental stress related to their old marital life. In short, present study proved beyond doubt that divorced men suffer more emotional problems and mental problems like depression than divorced women. The major limitation of the present study is the lack of primary data. The validity and reliability of the present study could have been improved, if the researcher was able to collect data from some interviews with the divorcees. Moreover, a survey administered among divorcees would have helped the researcher to collect data from a wider population. Another limitation of the present study is the lack of timing and budget allocated. A broad topic like the present one needs more time and money in order to conduct the research in a comprehensive manner. The present study has so many implications in social work practices. It proved that majority of the depressives approach psychiatrists when they are in need of treatment. Only few people with depression problems approach psychologists and sociologists. It is a fact that a substantial portion of the mental problems like depression can be managed or treated with the help of counselling. Only chronic depressives need the services of a psychiatrist. Psychologists and sociologists are capable of providing effective counselling. The present study proved that the current effort of the sociologists in empowering the public about depression problems is not sufficient or effective. That is why majority of the people with depression problems approach psychiatrists without even bothering about approaching a psychologist or sociologist. References Apgaylard, (2013). Blind anger. Retrieved from http://apgaylard.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/blind-anger/ Bryman, A. and Bell E. (2007), Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press: New York, 2nd edition Bruce M.L. and Kim K.M. (1992) Differences in the effects of divorce on major depression in men and women. Am J Psychiatry. 1992 Jul;149(7):914-7. Blaikie, N.W.H. (1991), A critique of the use of triangulation in social research. Quality & Quantity, 25, pp. 115-136. Bryman, A. (1992), Quantitative and qualitative research: further reflections on their integration, Aldershot: Avebury. Creswell, J. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications. pp. 126 – 135 Cresswell, J. (2006). Collecting Data In Mixed Methods Research. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/10983_Chapter_6.pdf Cavendish, L. (2013). How do men cope after divorce?. The Telegraph. 20 Nov 2013 Das, A. (2013). Spousal Loss and Health in Late Life: Moving Beyond Emotional Trauma. Journal of Aging & Health. Mar2013, Vol. 25 Issue 2, p221-242 Divorce Study Identifies Who Is Most At Risk For Post-Divorce Depression, (2013). The Huffington Post.  28/08/2013  Explorable, (2015). Convenience sampling. Retrieved from https://explorable.com/convenience-sampling Gilbert, P. (2009). Overcoming Depression: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques. Publisher: Basic Books; 3rd edition (September 8, 2009). Klein, D. F., M.D &Wender, P., M.D. (2005).Understanding Depression: A Complete Guide to its Diagnosis and Treatment.Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Revised edition (May 12, 2005). Kamiya, Y., Doyle, M., John, H and Virpi, T. (2013). Depressive symptoms among older adults: The impact of early and later life circumstances and marital status. Aging & Mental Health (AGING MENT HEALTH), 2013 Apr; 17 (3): 349-57. Nauert, R. (2007). After divorce, men twice as likely to experience depression Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/news/2007/05/23/after-divorce-men-twice-as-likely-to-experience-depression/848.html Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students, Harlow: Prentice Hall, 5th edition. Trivedi, E.K., Sareen H and Dyani, M (2009). Psychological Aspects of Widowhood and Divorce. Mens Sana Monogr. 2009 Jan-Dec; 7(1): 37–49. Understanding Depression. (2011). Retrieved from http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm WebMD, (2015). Depression Health Center Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-in-special-situations Appendix VARIABLE LIST AND CODES Variable Categories and Codes Gender 1 = Female 2 = Male Ethnicity 1 = African American 2 = Asian 3 = Hispanic 4 = Native American 5 = Caucasian Age 1 = 30 years or younger 2 = 31 to 45 years 3 = 46 to 60 years 4 = 61 or older Family Income 1 = Less than $25,000 2 = $25,000 to $34,999 3 = $35,000 to $44,999 4 = $45,000 to $54,999 5 = $55,000 to $64,999 6 = $65,000 or More Religion 1 = Atheist or Agnostic 2 = Buddhist 3 = Christian 4 = Hindu 5 = Jewish 6 = Muslim 7 = Other Marital Status 1 = Divorced or Separated 2 = Married 3 = Single 4 = Widowed Type of Clinician 1 = Psychiatrist 2 = Psychologist 3 = Social Worker Depression Level at Pre and Post test Measured by a scale that assessed functioning with a possible score of 100 – a higher score represents improvement in functioning Gender Ethnicity Age FamInc Religion MaritalSt Clinician Pretest Posttest 1 1 3 1 3 2 2 25 35 1 3 2 2 5 1 1 35 70 1 1 2 5 1 2 3 45 45 2 5 1 3 3 3 3 20 40 2 1 4 1 5 1 2 65 45 1 2 2 1 3 2 1 35 70 2 5 2 2 5 1 3 25 65 2 5 3 2 2 2 2 15 40 1 5 1 2 3 4 1 35 60 2 1 2 6 3 2 2 35 20 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 45 80 2 5 2 1 3 2 3 45 90 2 1 1 3 3 2 3 50 75 2 5 3 3 5 3 3 50 40 1 4 1 2 1 1 1 45 85 2 5 2 3 3 2 2 55 75 1 3 4 2 4 1 3 45 75 2 1 2 3 1 2 2 35 65 2 5 3 1 3 4 1 40 65 2 4 3 3 2 2 2 45 60 1 5 1 2 7 2 3 35 80 1 5 2 5 3 2 2 30 50 1 2 3 3 1 3 1 50 40 2 5 4 5 5 1 2 45 90 1 5 2 2 3 4 3 35 85 2 4 1 3 1 2 2 30 85 2 1 2 3 5 2 2 20 30 1 2 2 1 3 1 1 35 75 2 5 2 4 6 4 3 40 90 2 4 3 2 5 2 2 20 30 2 3 1 4 3 1 1 10 60 1 2 2 3 2 3 2 10 15 1 5 4 2 3 2 2 20 60 2 1 2 1 3 2 1 25 30 1 5 2 5 3 2 3 30 80 2 3 1 6 3 4 3 20 80 2 1 3 3 5 2 2 45 65 2 5 2 2 3 1 1 40 55 2 2 1 1 3 2 2 20 45 1 4 2 1 1 2 1 25 25 1 5 3 2 4 2 1 30 40 2 5 2 5 3 2 1 35 60 1 3 2 1 3 1 2 40 45 1 5 2 2 3 3 3 35 85 2 5 4 6 6 2 2 20 20 2 1 4 1 5 2 1 30 60 1 2 2 3 3 4 2 30 55 2 5 3 5 3 2 3 45 80 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 30 90 2 3 2 3 6 2 1 20 85 1 5 3 1 3 2 2 40 45 1 5 2 1 3 2 3 45 90 1 5 1 6 3 2 2 20 35 2 1 2 2 3 3 1 10 60 1 2 4 3 3 2 2 15 25 2 5 2 2 7 1 3 35 60 1 5 3 4 2 4 3 30 85 Credit: data sets credited to Dr. Vincent Faherty, Compassionate Statistics: Applied Quantitative Analysis for Social Services Read More