Female Vulnerability to Neurosis: The Influence of Social Roles

Abstract

Studies of prevalence of neurotic disorders show women to be far more vulnerable than men. Biological factors cannot account for this marked sex difference; social factors are clearly implicated. Findings from a community study in London show that social roles, especially those relating to marriage, are implicated. It appeared that lack of employment outside the home was deleterious for both sexes, while a poor marital relationship was deleterious for women alone. Although care of young children was associated with neurosis in women, it did so by virtue of depriving women of employment outside the home.