Gender Disparities in Mental Health Diagnoses Among Spanish Youth
Study reveals stark gender differences in mental health conditions and medication use among Spanish youth.
Key Points
- • Boys diagnosed more with ADHD, consuming more psychostimulants.
- • Girls show higher rates of anxiety/depression, using more anxiolytics/antidepressants.
- • Regional differences noted: highest antidepressant use in Galicia, highest diagnoses in Canarias.
- • Call for gender-sensitive approaches in mental health care.
A recent study from the Osasunaren Gizarte Determinatzaile eta Aldaketa Demografikoari buruzko Ikerekta Taldea (OPIK) underscores significant gender disparities in mental health diagnoses and psychotropic medication use among children and adolescents in Spain. Analyzed clinical records from 2022 reveal that boys are predominantly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), resulting in higher consumption of psychostimulants and antipsychotics. In contrast, girls present with increased rates of anxiety and depression, leading to greater prescriptions for anxiolytics and antidepressants.
By the ages of 17 to 18, gender patterns in mental health issues among girls increasingly reflect those of adults, indicating a troubling trend that may overlook the social pressures affecting youth today. The report indicates a concerning trend towards the medicalization of children's emotional distress, often sidelining more holistic approaches that address their social environments.
The study identifies notable regional differences in diagnoses and medication consumption, with Galicia leading in antidepressant use among girls while the Canary Islands exhibit the highest overall prevalence of diagnoses. Regions like Andalusia and the Balearic Islands show less pronounced gender disparities in mental health issues.
Critically, the study advocates for gender-sensitive approaches in child and adolescent mental health services, highlighting the need for ongoing research to tailor interventions more effectively to the unique challenges faced by youth. By positioning mental health within a broader understanding of social determinants, the report calls for policies that challenge existing structures and stereotypes.