Trends in depression and anxiety: men and women

Recent reports from four longitudinal studies indicate that the epidemiology of depression and anxiety in general populations may have changed over the third quarter of this century. In each of two studies in the United States, one in Canada, and one in Sweden, more women than men at mid-century were found to have experienced depression and/or anxiety. By the end of the quarter, women and men in a few to several age groups were more equal in this regard than they had been earlier. In each study, interpretation was offered to the effect that social and historical changes may have contributed to these epidemiologic trends. The four studies are reviewed, and it is suggested that the findings deserve attention as generating hypotheses for further research.