Life stress, life-styles, depression, and illness in adult women.
The relationships between life stress and depression and physical illness were investigated in a sample of 122 normal adult women. Results indicated that life stress was associated with both illness and depression in this sample but that both type of stress and life-style were important moderators of these relationships. Thus, work stresses were associated with illness (not depression), and the relationship between life stress and illness was strongest among work-centered women. Family stresses were associated with depression (not illness), and the relationship between life stress and depression was strongest among housewives. Implications for sex role definitions are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008019:Life Style; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology