Gender Differences in Depression Severity, Gender-Sensitive Symptoms, Resilience, and Stigma in Major Depressive Disorder

NCT07474363 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025 - 166 / 14
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects mood, thoughts, behavior, and overall quality of life. It arises from a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. While depression is more frequently diagnosed in women, research suggests that men may experience and express depressive symptoms differently. Men are more likely to display symptoms such as irritability, anger, impulsivity, or increased alcohol use, and they may be less likely to seek professional psychological support due to social expectations and fear of stigma. Stigma-both self-stigma (internalized negative beliefs about having a mental illness) and perceived social stigma (concerns about being judged by others)-can negatively influence individuals' willingness to seek help and adhere to treatment. In addition, psychological resilience, defined as the ability to cope effectively with stress and adversity, may play an important role in how individuals experience depressive symptoms and respond to treatment. This study aims to compare women and men diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in terms of depression severity, gender-sensitive depressive symptoms, self-stigma, perceived social stigma, and levels of psychological resilience. It will also examine the relationships among these factors to better understand how gender-related differences influence the experience and management of depression. Findings from this study may contribute to improved recognition of gender-specific features of depression, reduction of stigma, and the development of more individualized and effective mental health interventions for both women and men.

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD); Gender Differences; Resilience, Psychological; Self Stigma; Social Stigma

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Depression Severity

  Depression severity will be assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The Beck Depression Inventory is a 4-point Likert-type scale consisting of 21 items. Each item is rated on a scale of 0 to 3, and the total possible score ranges from 0 to 63. Higher scores indicate a greater severity of depressive symptoms.

  Baseline (single assessment)

• Gender Differences in Gender-Sensitive Depressive Symptoms

  Gender-sensitive depressive symptom severity will be assessed using the Gender-Sensitive Depression Scale, a 24-item, four-point Likert-type instrument. Each item is rated on a four-point scale with response options ranging from 0 to 3: "Never or rarely," "Sometimes," "Often," and "Always." The scale comprises the subdimensions of Dysphoria-Irritability, Impulsivity-Shame, and Alcohol Use. Higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms.

  Baseline (single assessment)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Self-Stigma in Depression

  Baseline (single assessment)

• Perceived Social Stigma Related to Seeking Psychological Help

  Baseline (single assessment)

• Psychological Resilience

  Baseline (single assessment)

Study Arms (2)

Women

Female patients aged 18-65 years who were diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and presented to the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine

Men

Male patients aged 18-65 years who were diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and presented to the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients who presented to the Department of Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic at Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine.

You may qualify if:

• Male and female patients aged 18 to 65 years
• Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder according to DSM-5 at the time of study participation
• Provision of voluntary informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Intellectual disability
• Severe neurological disorders
• Comorbid psychiatric diagnoses
• Depressive disorder secondary to an organic medical condition
• Depressive disorder secondary to substance use

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Eskisehir Osmangazi University: lead

Study Sites (1)

the Department of Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic at Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine

Eskişehir, Eskişehir, 26040, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Major; Social Stigma

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorders; Mental Disorders; Social Behavior; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

İrem OZKAYNAK DAGLİ, Research assistant, M.D.

CONTACT

+90 0222 239 29 79; irem.ozkaynak@ogu.edu.tr

HARUN O SONKURT, Asst. Prof.

CONTACT

+90 0222 239 29 79; olcay.sonkurt@ogu.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 11, 2026
• First Posted: March 16, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, CSR
• Time Frame: The de-identified individual participant data and supporting materials will be made available beginning 6 months after publication of the study results. The data will remain available for a period of 5 years following publication.
• Access Criteria: Describe who will be able to access the IPD and supporting information, what they will be able to access, and how they will be able to access it.

Locations

TU (1)