Abstract
Objective: The objective of this srudy was to test the hypothesis that males with schizophrenia have more negative symptom and females with schi::ophrenia have more depressive symptoms. Previous studies examining gender differences in negative and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia have been inconclusive, being limited by rerro pecrive _design and lack of suirable assessment instruments.
Method: A consecutive series of 113 consenting inpatients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for schizophrenia (45 females, 68 males) were assessed using reliable measures of depression and negative symptoms. Negative Symptoms were assessed by the Pos irive and Negative Syndrome Scale and depression by the Calgary Depression Scale/or Schi::ophrenia. inety-two of the subjects were reassessed 3 months later.
Results: There were no differences in levels of negative or depressive symptoms between men and women.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, the res ults do not support the hypothesis of sex differences in negative and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia.