Gender Differences in Referral for Neuropsychological Evaluations

Abstract

Outpatient mental health facilities traditionally serve significantly more adult women than men. Therefore, it was predicted that more women than men would be referred for neuropsychological consultations in an outpatient psychiatric setting. However, significantly more men were referred to neuropsychology. Explanations for gender differences in referral rates include: (1) men in a psychiatric setting being more likely to have overt neurological impairment; (2) knowledge and research about the biological underpinnings of female psychiatric illness not being widespread; and (3) clinicians in both medical and mental health settings being more likely to focus on psychosocial explanations for a woman's behavior and less likely to suspect neurocognitive contributions for behavior. Recommendations for more systematic evaluation of women are presented.