[Female depression viewed from women's subjectivity].
The aim of the study was to explore the way in which depression in women is conceptualized, experienced, and given meaning from the perspective of the women themselves, based on a review of text material on the subject. The focus group technique was used to present the text, which deals with depression, its causes, and coping strategies. Twenty-seven women, divided into four groups, participated in the study. Analyses of the transcriptions of self-recordings led to the identification of four categories: the experience of depression, childhood experiences, the female social condition, and coping strategies. The majority mentioned having had bouts of depression in their lives, although they had not recognized them as such. They were aware of the role played by socialization of the female role and certain childhood events in the emergence of depression and used various strategies to cope with this. The women found similarities between the ways they perceived depression and the descriptions in the text, and shared their own experiences. Depression was reported as a central theme in their lives, and they were eager to talk about it.
Lara
María Asunción
MA
Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico, DF, Mexico. laracan@imp.edu.mx
Acevedo
Maricarmen
M
Berenzon
Shoshana
S
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012951:Socialization; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*