Adolescent boys and men in Western societies have twice the rate of depressive disorders as girls and women.

Adolescent boys and men in Western societies have twice the rate of depressive disorders as girls and women.

• A. Cannot be determined
• B. False
• C. True
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (B)

Depressive disorders show a gender difference in Western populations, with females experiencing higher rates than males, especially after puberty. Across many studies, the lifetime and past-year prevalence of depression is about twice as high in women as in men. This disparity can be influenced by hormonal and biological factors, social and psychological stressors, and differences in how symptoms are reported or expressed—men may be less likely to seek help or may present depression through irritability, risk-taking, or substance use rather than mood symptoms. Because adolescent girls already show higher rates than boys, the claim that adolescent boys and men have twice the rate is not supported.

Depressive disorders show a gender difference in Western populations, with females experiencing higher rates than males, especially after puberty. Across many studies, the lifetime and past-year prevalence of depression is about twice as high in women as in men. This disparity can be influenced by hormonal and biological factors, social and psychological stressors, and differences in how symptoms are reported or expressed—men may be less likely to seek help or may present depression through irritability, risk-taking, or substance use rather than mood symptoms. Because adolescent girls already show higher rates than boys, the claim that adolescent boys and men have twice the rate is not supported.