Sex differences in non-clinical depression.

Two recent reviews have suggested that the prevalence of depression is higher in women than in men. In one review Weissman and Klerman cited several United States community studies, and claimed that findings reveal a female excess in the 'true prevalence' of depressive syndromes. Their interpretation of those studies allowed them to reject the artefact hypothesis that women perceive, acknowledge, report and seek help for stress and symptoms differently to men. The present paper questions their interpretation of those studies. In addition, results from a recent study of depressive experience in a non-clinical group, where no sex difference was found, are presented.