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Gender difference in schizophrenic symptomatology and subjective stress of Chinese adults with schizophrenia in a long-stay residential setting
Date Issued
2014
Publisher
Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press
ISSN
2078-9947
Citation
Tam, S. Y. Y., Siu, J. C. Y., Wan, A. H. Y., Chan, C. K. P., Wong, C. P. K., Au-Yeung, F. S. W., & Ho, R. T. H. (2014). Schizophrenic symptomatology and subjective stress of Chinese adults with schizophrenia in a long-stay residential setting. In East Asian Archives of Psychiatry (Ed.). East Asian archives of psychiatry: World psychiatric association (WPA) regional congress 2014: Yin and yang of mental Health in Asia — balancing polarities. World Psychiatric Association (WPA) Regional Congress 2014, Hong Kong (pp.72). Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press.
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Objectives: Males showed a higher risk of schizophrenia.1 This study aimed to explore the manifestation of schizophrenia between genders, focusing on schizophrenic symptomatology and perceived stress in Chinese adults with schizophrenia at long-term care residential setting. Results
of the present study yield implications for effective health care strategies for this population.
Methods: A total of 146 Chinese in-patients (80 males and 66 females), aged 24 to 69 (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 53.97 ± 8.54) years, participated in this crosssectional study. Independent sample t-tests were performed to explore potential gender differences in symptomatology
and perceived stress. Schizophrenia symptomatology was indexed by positive and negative symptom, gender psychopathology subscales of the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), while subjective stress was indicated by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).
Results: Results indicated difference on measures of subjective stress (t(138) = –2.15, p ≤ 0.05), negative symptoms (t(138) = 4.82, p ≤ 0.01), and general psychopathology (t(138) = 3.55, p ≤ 0.01) between males and females. Males reported higher level of negative symptoms (mean ± SD,
21.12 ± 7.64) and general psychopathology (38.43 ± 14.43), but lower level of subjective stress (14.93 ± 6.67) when compared with females (15.38 ± 11.81; 38.43 ± 14.34; 17.35
± 6.60).
Conclusions: The present study replicated existing gender differences findings in schizophrenia.2 Males present more negative symptoms, while females reported higher prevalence of perceived stress. The study allows better understanding of illness presentation between the genders,
which implies the need for developing gender-specific health care treatments in achieving better functioning outcome.
References
1. McGrath JJ. Variations in the incidence of schizophrenia: data versus dogma. Schizophr Bull 2006;32:195-7.
2. Usall J, Suarez D, Haro JM; SOHO Study Group. Gender differences in response to antipsychotic treatment in outpatients with schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2007;153:225-31.
Acknowledgement
The body of work is supported by the Research Grants Council (HKU/744912).
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