[Differences in the course of depressive disorders among women and men measured by MMPI-2]

The aim of the study is to assess the differences between clinical scales of MMPI-2 among women and men suffering from depressive disorders.

36 patients were examined (aged 23-62 years, average age = 51.27, SD = 8.84): 19 women (52.77%, aged 23-59, average age = 51.16, SD = 4.74) and 17 men (47.23%, aged: 23-61, average age = 51.41, SD = 12.07). All patients were hospitalised in the Clinic of Adult Psychiatry Medical University of Łódź. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2, adapted by T. Kucharski) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS, consisting of 21-items) were used. MMPI-2 is used in psychological diagnostic and HDRS is used to assess the intensity of depressive disorders.

Relevant statistical differences between women and men in the several clinical scales of MMPI-2 were observed. There were no relevant statistical differences between the examined groups in the HDRS.

(1). The characteristic symptoms of depressive disorders for women are: the excessive concentration on physical health, numerous complaints about physical disabilities, lack of energy, insomnia, diminishing of attention concentration and low self-esteem, diffidence and pessimism (2). Examined men achieved statistically lower results than women in the following scales: hypochondria, hysteria and D1, D3, D4 subscales of the depression scale. (3). MMPI-2 is one of the psychological methods which allow for a specific diagnosis of depressive disorders symptoms among women and men.