Chapter 12

Question 1

What is major depressive disorder?

Answer 1

A mental illness with frequent feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, and loss of interest in activities.

Question 2

Who is more likely to experience depression?

Answer 2

Women and LGBTQ+ individuals are 2–3 times more likely than cisgender men to experience depression.

Question 3

When do gender differences in depression typically begin?

Answer 3

Around puberty—girls and gender/sexual minority youth report more symptoms than boys.

Question 4

What are the emotional symptoms of depression?

Answer 4

Feeling sad, hopeless, tearful, irritable, and unable to enjoy activities.

Question 5

What are the cognitive symptoms of depression?

Answer 5

Negative thoughts about oneself, difficulty concentrating, and pessimism about the future.

Question 6

What are the physical symptoms of depression?

Answer 6

Headaches, fatigue, dizziness, weight changes, and general body pain.

Question 7

What are the behavioral symptoms of depression?

Answer 7

Avoiding social interaction, neglecting self-care, low productivity, and sleep problems.

Question 8

Are biological differences the main reason women experience more depression?

Answer 8

No. Biological factors like hormones are not enough to explain the gender difference in depression.

Question 9

Do women seek help for depression more often than men?

Answer 9

Yes. Women are more likely to report symptoms and seek therapy than men.

Question 10

Can therapist bias affect depression diagnosis?

Answer 10

Yes. Therapists often overdiagnose women and underdiagnose men due to stereotypes.

Question 11

How does general discrimination relate to depression?

Answer 11

Sexism, racism, and marginalization increase stress, leading to a higher risk of depression.

Question 12

How does abuse or violence affect depression risk?

Answer 12

Experiences of sexual abuse, domestic violence, or harassment increase the likelihood of depression.

Question 13

Why does poverty contribute to depression?

Answer 13

Economic hardship limits options, adds stress, and increases mental health struggles, especially for women.

Question 14

How can housework and unpaid labor lead to depression?

Answer 14

Feeling overwhelmed by unpaid responsibilities and lack of recognition can lead to depressive symptoms.

Question 15

How does concern over physical appearance impact girls and women?

Answer 15

Media pressure to look a certain way lowers self-esteem and may trigger depression.

Question 16

What is a ruminative coping style?

Answer 16

Focusing on sad feelings and their causes without taking action, which worsens depression.

Question 17

Who is more likely to use a ruminative style?

Answer 17

Women are more likely than men to ruminate when they feel sad or depressed.

Question 18

How can rumination increase depression?

Answer 18

It reinforces negative thoughts and feelings, making it harder to recover.

Question 19

How do women’s relationships relate to depression?

Answer 19

Women often prioritize others’ needs over their own, which can increase stress and emotional exhaustion.

Question 21

What is the ‘culture of thinness’?

Answer 21

It is the societal obsession with thinness, especially for women, where thin bodies are idealized through media and social messages, often leading to body dissatisfaction.

Question 22

What is objectified body consciousness?

Answer 22

When individuals, especially women, view their bodies as objects to be looked at and judged by others, often leading to body dissatisfaction.

Question 23

How does objectified body consciousness relate to eating disorders?

Answer 23

It increases body dissatisfaction, which can lead to the development of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating.

Question 24

Which ethnic group reports the highest body dissatisfaction in the U.S.?

Answer 24

White women report slightly higher body dissatisfaction than Black women, but differences among other ethnic groups are minimal.

Question 25

What factors protect Black women from body dissatisfaction?

Answer 25

Positive racial identity and multicultural body ideals that differ from mainstream thinness norms.

Question 26

What are some consequences for women who are above average size?

Answer 26

They face discrimination in hiring, promotions, romantic desirability, and are often targets of bullying and negative stereotypes.

Question 27

What does fat studies aim to challenge?

Answer 27

It critiques anti-fat bias in culture, media, and medicine, and advocates for body diversity and size acceptance.

Question 28

Why is dieting often unsuccessful?

Answer 28

Most people regain lost weight, diets promote unhealthy obsession with food, and long-term results are rare.

Question 29

What are the key features of anorexia nervosa?

Answer 29

An intense fear of gaining weight, refusal to maintain a healthy body weight, and distorted body image.

Question 30

What are common health risks of anorexia nervosa?

Answer 30

Amenorrhea, osteoporosis, heart and kidney problems, and high mortality risk (5–10%).

Question 31

How is bulimia nervosa different from anorexia?

Answer 31

People with bulimia binge eat and purge but maintain a normal weight; anorexia involves significant weight loss.

Question 32

What behaviors are common in bulimia nervosa?

Answer 32

Binge eating large quantities of food followed by purging through vomiting or laxatives.

Question 33

What distinguishes binge-eating disorder from bulimia?

Answer 33

People with binge-eating disorder do not purge after binges and tend to gain weight over time.

Question 34

Which group is most affected by binge-eating disorder?

Answer 34

Both men and women, but women make up 60–65% of cases. LGBTQ+ individuals are at higher risk.

Question 35

What is a more effective alternative to dieting?

Answer 35

Focusing on balanced nutrition, regular exercise, body acceptance, and overall health rather than weight loss.

Question 36

What is the difference between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy?

Answer 36

Psychotherapy uses verbal interaction to treat psychological problems, while pharmacotherapy uses medication to manage symptoms.

Question 37

How can sexism affect psychotherapy?

Answer 37

Therapists may misdiagnose disorders based on gender stereotypes, ignore social/cultural factors, or blame women for events beyond their control.

Question 38

Why are sexual relationships between therapists and clients unethical?

Answer 38

They violate trust, prioritize the therapist's interests, exploit power differences, and increase clients' emotional harm and suicide risk.

Question 39

What are key components of effective psychotherapy for LGBTQ1 individuals?

Answer 39

Therapists must avoid sexual prejudice, respect diverse relationships, not attempt to change orientation/identity, and be aware of discrimination.

Question 40

How do microaggressions impact people of color in therapy?

Answer 40

They contribute to feelings of inferiority, increase stress, and can discourage clients from seeking or continuing therapy.

Question 41

What challenges do Latina women face in therapy?

Answer 41

Cultural values like marianismo may prevent self-focus, and refugees may carry trauma from war or political unrest.

Question 42

What challenges do Black women face in therapy?

Answer 42

They may experience racism, poverty, and stereotype stress, yet face myths of strength that discourage mental health care.

Question 43

What prevents many Asian American women from seeking therapy?

Answer 43

Cultural stigma, family honor concerns, and fear of bringing shame may lead to avoidance of mental health services.

Question 44

What are barriers Native American women face in accessing mental health care?

Answer 44

Historical trauma (e.g., residential schools), poverty, few culturally competent therapists, and high rates of depression and substance abuse.

Question 45

What strategies can therapists use to better support clients of color?

Answer 45

Learn about the client's culture, show empathy, avoid claiming color-blindness, respect diverse values, and hire bilingual staff.

Question 46

What is the psychodynamic approach in therapy?

Answer 46

Based on Freud’s theories, it focuses on unconscious childhood conflicts. Modern versions include more emphasis on social relationships.

Question 47

What is the main concern with pharmacotherapy?

Answer 47

Medications can be overprescribed, must be carefully managed, and are most effective when combined with psychotherapy.

Question 48

What is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?

Answer 48

CBT helps clients recognize and change irrational thoughts and behaviors. It’s effective for depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Question 49

What is the difference between nonsexist therapy and feminist therapy?

Answer 49

Nonsexist therapy avoids gender bias; feminist therapy also emphasizes women’s strengths, social change, and equal therapist-client power.

Question 50

What are the three main goals of feminist therapy?

Answer 50

(1) Nonsexist treatment, (2) emphasis on strengths, and (3) equal power dynamics between therapist and client.