Gender and support for mental health research in Ontario: 1992-94: a summary

Based on early research by Stark-Adamec (1981), the question was explored as to whether current mental health funding appeared to be more relevant to male or female concerns, or to neither specifically. Three data sets, consisting of a total of 117 grants and 43 Fellowships awarded by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation from 1992-1994, were coded in terms of these concerns. For both Grants and Fellowships, a high proportion were coded as being primarily concerned with neither gender specifically. Some additional data, in terms of DSM III-R categories and grant committee memberships, were also explored, with, in general, similar findings. From one perspective, therefore, these findings do not support the notion of "gender bias." From another perspective, however, it does lend current support to Stark-Adamec's earlier findings that the mental health concerns of women remain poorly represented in mental health funding. Some discussion, as well as implications and limitations of the findings, are outlined.