Women's mental health care--into the '90s

The author asserts that nurses need to understand the various historical, sociological, and cultural factors in society that have influenced the provision of mental health services to women. She claims that, historically, different standards of health have been applied to women than men. Sociologically, stereotypical roles for women have contributed to the low self-esteem, fear of failure, and the passivity often associated with depression in women. Culturally, minorities and the elderly have received bias in the mental health care system. The nurse must understand these factors in order to support purposeful change and to fashion an alternate framework tailored to the specific needs of women.