Unique aspects of women's emotional responses to disability.
OBJECTIVE
To improve rehabilitation clinicians' awareness of gender differences in emotional responses to disability as a means of enhancing accuracy and sensitivity in diagnosis and treatment of persons in their care.


METHODS
A prospective survey study using a new grief measure, the Loss Inventory (LI), with a diverse convenience sample of persons undergoing inpatient rehabilitation in the USA. Focused review of the bereavement, depression, and disability literatures related to observed gender differences.


RESULTS
Study participants reported grief symptoms in varying intensities. Consistent with all literature reviewed, significant gender differences were found in kind and intensity of grief and depression symptoms reported. Ethnicity also significantly affected responses to disability by LI study participant responses.


CONCLUSIONS
While persons with disabilities as a whole may not necessarily develop depression, gender is a risk factor for onset of mood problems after illness or injury-related losses. As compared with study sample disabled men, disabled women reported more intense and different symptoms of grief and depression. Women with disabilities in the LI sample were twice as likely as disabled men to be depressed. Rehabilitation clinicians may wish to incorporate consideration of these differences in their mental health assessments, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
Niemeier
Janet P
JP
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, PO Box 980661, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0661, USA. Jniemeir@hsc.vcu.edu
D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003863:Depression / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health