Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Psychiatric Residency Curriculum About Gender and Women’s Issues

  • Special Article
  • Published:
Academic Psychiatry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Over the last 30 years, major advances have been made in our understanding of how bio-logical factors and sociocultural influences contribute to gender differences, gender identity formation, and gendered role behavior. Sensitivity to the psychological effects of changing family structure and workforce composition, the contribution of reproductive events, and the high rates of exposure to trauma in women is essential for optimal psychiatric assessment and treatment planning. This knowledge has not been systematically integrated into residency training. The authors present an outline for a curriculum in gender and women’s issues, including educational objectives, learning experiences through which residents could meet these objectives, and recommended readings. The authors also discuss potential obstacles and suggest helpful strategies for implementing the proposed curriculum.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Dickstein LJ, Symonds A, Braude M, et al: Women’s issue: an integral part of social psychiatry. American Journal of Social Psychiatry 1986; 2:99–106

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fullerton HN Jr: New Labor force projection, spanning 1988–2000. Monthly Labor Review 1989; 112:3–12

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dickstein LJ, Stein TS, Pleck JH, et al: Men’s changing social roles in the 1990s: emerging issues in psychiatric treatment of men. Hosp Community Psychiatry 1991; 42:701–705

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Ross CE, Mirowsky J: Child care and emotional adjustment to wives employment. J Health Soc Behav 1988; 29:127–138

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Dickstein LJ, Zilbech JJ, Miller JB, et al: The impact on families changing roles and relationships, in American Psychiatric Press Review of Psychiatry, Vol 10., edited by Tasman A, Goldfinger SM. Washington DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1991, pp 627–644

    Google Scholar 

  6. McBride AB: Mental health effects of women’s multiple roles. Am Psychol 1990; 45:381–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Scarr S, Phillips F, McCartney K: Working mothers and their families. Am Psychol 1989; 44:1402–1409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Symonds A: The dynamics of depression in functioning women — sexism in the family. J Am Acad Psychoanal 1986; 14:395–406

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Tyson P, Tyson R: The Psychoanalytic Theory of Development: An Integration. New Haven, CT, Yale University Press, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  10. Stern D: The Interpersonal World of the Infant. New York, Basic Books, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  11. Silverman D: What little girls are made of? Psychoanalytic Psychology 1987; 4:315–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Stoller R: Primary femininity. J Am Psychoanal Assoc 1976; 24:59–78

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Seiden AM: Psychological issues affecting women throughout the life cycle. Psychiatr Clin North Am 1989; 12:1–24

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Miller JB: Toward a New Psychology of Women, 2nd Edition. Boston, MA, Beacon Press, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  15. Deutsch H: The significance of masochism in the mental life of women. Int J Psychoanal 1930; 11:48–60

    Google Scholar 

  16. Blum HP: Masochism, the ego ideal and the psychology of women, in Female Psychology: Contemporary Psychoanalytic Views. New York, International University Press, 1977, pp 157–191

    Google Scholar 

  17. Chodorow N: The Reproduction of Mothering. Berkeley, CA, University of California Press, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  18. Nadelson CC, Notman MT, Miller JB, et al: Aggression in women: conceptual issues and clinical implication, in The Woman Patient, Vol 3., edited by Nadelson CC, Notman MT. New York, Plenum, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  19. Caplan PJ: The myth of women’s masochism. Am Psychol 1984; 39:130–139

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Jordan JV, Kaplan AG, Miller JB, et al: Women’s Growth in Connection. New York, Guilford, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  21. Gilligan C: In a Different Voice. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  22. Myers MF: Men’s unique developmental issues across the life cycle, in American Psychiatric Press Review of Psychiatry, Vol 10., edited by Tasman A, Goldfinger SM. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1991, pp 627–644

  23. Toward a New Psychology of Men: Psychoanalytic and Social Perspectives, edited by Friedman RM, Lerner L. New York, Guilford, 1986

  24. Brill AA: The Basic Writings of Sigmund Freud. New York, The Modern Library, 1938

    Google Scholar 

  25. Pleck JH: The Myth of Masculinity. Cambridge, MA, MIT Press, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  26. Dickstein LJ: Social change and dependency in university men: the white knight complex unresolved. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy 1986; 1:31–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Spurlock T, Norris DM: The impact of culture and race on the development of African Americans in the United States, in American Psychiatric Review, Vol 10, edited by Tasman A, Goldfinger SM. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1991, pp 594–607

  28. Brown LS, Root MPP (eds): Diversity and Complexity in Feminist Therapy. New York, Harrington Park Press, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  29. Notman MT, Nadelson CC: Women and Men. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  30. Dickstein LJ (section ed): New perspectives on human development, in American Psychiatric Press Review of Psychiatry, Vol 10, edited by Tasman A, Goldfinger SM. Washington DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1991, pp 531–647

    Google Scholar 

  31. Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs: American Medical Association: Gender disparities in clinical decision-making. JAMA 1991; 266:559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Waisberg J, Page S: Gender role nonconformity and perception of mental illness. Women Health 1988; 14:3–16

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Broverman IK, Broverman DM, Clarkson FE, et al: Sex role stereotypes and clinical judgement of mental health. J Consult Clin Psychol 1970; 34:1–7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Roter D, Lipkin M, Korsgaard A: Sex differences in patients’ and physicians’ communication during primary care medical visits. Med Care 1991; 29:1083–1093

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. O’Malley, KM, Richardson SS: Sex bias in counseling: have things changed? Journal of Counseling and Development 1985; 63:294–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Denmark FL, Russo NF, Frieze IH, et al: Guidelines for avoiding sexism in psychological research. Am Psychol 1988; 43:582–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Russo NF: Reconstructing the psychology of women: an overview in women and men, in Women and Men, edited by Norman MT, Nadelson CC. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1991, pp 43–61

  38. Geis FL, Carter MR, Butler DJ: Research on Seeing and Evaluating People. Newark, DE, University of Delaware, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  39. McHugh MC, Koeske RD, Frieze IH: Issues to consider in conducting nonsexist psychological research: a guide for researchers. Am Psychol 1986; 41:879–390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Lopez SR: Patient variable biases in clinical judgement: a conceptual overview and methodological considerations. Psychol Bull 1989; 106:184–203

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Association of American Medical Colleges: Women’s Health Curricula in Building A Stronger Women’s Program, prepared by Bickel J. Washington, DC, Association of American Medical Colleges, 1993, pp 59–63

  42. Johnson K: Women’s health: developing a new interdisciplinary specialty. Journal of Women’s Health 1992; 1:95–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Harrison M: Women’s health as a specialty: a deceptive solution. Journal of Women’s Health 1992; 1:101–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Dickstein LJ: Psychological, sociological, anthropological theories on women and men: emerging perspectives. Journal of Psychiatric Education 1983; 7:9–22

    Google Scholar 

  45. Flemining SH: Developing a course on women in the residency curriculum. Psychiatric Annals 1977; 7:67–81

    Google Scholar 

  46. Flemining SH, Seiden AN, Roeske NC: Teaching, Learning and Research. A program for teaching medical students and residents about gender in health and disease. Journal of Psychiatric Education 1983; 7:77–85

    Google Scholar 

  47. Stein T: A curriculum for learning in psychiatric residencies about homosexuality, gay men and lesbians. Academic Psychiatry 1994; 18:59–70

    Google Scholar 

  48. Stewart DE, Stotland NL: Psychological Aspects of Women’s Health Care. Washington DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  49. McGrath E, Keita GP, Strickland BR, et al: Women and Depression. Washington, DC, American Psychological Association, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  50. Regier DA, Meyers JK, Kramer M: The NIMH Epidemiological Catchment Area Program. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1984; 41:934–941

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Andia AM, Zisook S: Gender differences in schizophrenia: a literature review. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry 1991; 3:330–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Paykel E: Depression in women. Br J Psychiatry 1991; 158(suppl 10):22–29

    Google Scholar 

  53. Cameron OG, Hill EH: Women and anxiety. Psychiatr Clin North Am 1989; 12:175–186

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Steiner-Adair C: The body politics: normal female adolescent development and the development of eating disorders. J Am Acad Psychoanal 1986; 14:95–114

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Herman J: Complex PTSD: a syndrome in survivors of prolonged and repeated trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress 1992; 5:377–391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Goodwin J, Cheeves K, Connell V: Borderline and other severe symptoms in adult survivors of incestuous abuse. Psychiatric Annals 1990; 20:22–32

    Google Scholar 

  57. Unger K: Chemical dependency in women. West J Med 1988; 149:746–750

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Lubben JE: Gender differences in the relationship of widowhood and psychological well-being among low income elderly. Women Health 1988; 14:161–189

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Yonkers KA, Kando JC, Cole JO, et al: Gender differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of psychotropic medication. Am J Psychiatry 1992; 149:587–595

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Bacharach LL, Nadelson CC (eds): Treating Chronically Mentally III Women. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  61. Wile JR, Spielvogel AM: Gender as culture: competent case management for women with major psychiatric disorders, in The Cross-Cultural Practice of Clinical Case Management in Mental Health, edited by Manoleas P. New York, Haworth Press, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  62. Apfel R, Handel MH: Madness and the Loss of Motherhood. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  63. Raskin VD: Psychiatric aspects of substance use disorders in childbearing populations. Psychiatr Clin North Am 1993; 16:157–165

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Fullilove M, Lown A, Fullilove R: Crack’ hos and skeezers: traumatic experiences of women crack users. The Journal of Sex Research 1992; 29:275–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Calsyn RJ, Morse G: Homeless men and women: communalities and a service gender gap. Am J Community Psychol 1990; 18:597–608

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Harris M: Sisters of the Shadow. London, University of Oaklahoma Press, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  67. Burr WA, Falek A, Strauss LT: Fertility in psychiatric patients. Hosp Community Psychiatry 1979; 30:527–531

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Cloverdale JH, Bayer TL, McCullough LB, et al: Respecting the autonomy of chronic mentally ill women in decisions about contraception. Hosp Community Psychiatry 1993; 44:671–674

    Google Scholar 

  69. Miller L: Clinical strategies for the use of psychotropic drugs during pregnancy. Psychiatr Med 1991; 9:275–298

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Spielvogel A, Wile J: Treatment of the psychotic pregnant patient. Psychosomatics 1986; 27:487–492

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Inwood DG (ed): Recent Advances in Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Press, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  72. Gabinet L: A protocol for asessing competence to parent a newborn. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 1986; 8:263–272

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Hamilton J: Emotional consequences of victimization and discrimination in “special populations” of women. Psychiatr Clin North Am 1989; 12:35–51

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Mollica R, Son L: Cultural dimension in the evaluation and treatment of sexual trauma. Psychiatr Clin North Am 1989; 12:363–379

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Beck JC, van der Kolk B: Reports of childhood incest and current behavior of chronically hospitalized psychotic women. Am J Psychiatry 1987; 144:1474–1476

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Rose DS: “Worse than death”: psychodynamics of rape victims and the need for psychotherapy. Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143:817–824

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Goodman LA, Ross MP, Russo NF: Violence against women: physical and mental health effects. Part I: Research findings. Applied and Preventive Psychology 1993; 2:79–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Gartrell N, Herman J, Olarte S, et al: Sexual abuse of patients by therapists. New Dir Ment Health Serv 1989;41:55–66

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Riger S: Gender dilemmas in sexual harrassment policies and procedures. Am Psychol 1991; 46:497–505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Falco K: Psychotherapy With Lesbian Clients. New York, Brunner/Mazel, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  81. Test M, Burke S, Wallish L: Gender difference of young adults with schizophrenic disorders in community care. Schizophr Bull 1990; 16:331–344

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Kaplan AG: Female or male psychotherapists for women. New formulations (work in progress). Wellesley, MA, Stone Center for Developmental Services and Studies, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  83. Gitlin MJ, Pasnau RO: Psychiatric syndromes linked to reproductive function in women; a review of curent knowledge. Am J Psychiatry 1989; 146:1413–1422

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Byrne D, Kelley K, Fisher WA: Unwanted teenage pregnancies: incidence, interpretation, and intervention. Applied and Preventive Psychology 1993; 2:101–113

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Parry B: Reproductive factors affecting the course of affective illness in women. Psychiatr Clin North Am 1989; 12:207–220

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Deadman JM, Dewey MJ, Owens RG: Threat and loss in breast cancer. Psychol Med 1989; 19:677–681

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Stuntzner-Gibson D: Women and HIV disease: an emerging social crisis. Social Work 1991; 36:22–28

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Chung J, Magraw, MA: Group approach to psychosocial issues faced by HIV-positive women. Hosp Community Psychiatry 1992; 43:891–894

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. James ME, Coles CD: Cocaine abuse during pregnancy: psychiatric considerations. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 1991; 13:399–109

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Cole C: A group design for adult female survivors of childhood incest. Women and Therapy 1985; 4:71–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  91. Nickerson ET, Kremgold-Barrett A: Gender-fair psychotherapy in the United States: a possible dream? International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling 1990; 13:39–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. Eastwood J, Spielvogel A, Wile J: Countertransference risks when women treat women. Clinical Social Work Journal 1990; 18:273–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. Pinderhughes E: Understanding Race, Ethnicity, and Power. New York, Free Press, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  94. Lurie JH, Robinowitz CB: Women’s Issues in Psychiatric Education (videotape). Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  95. Scher M: Gender issues in psychiatric supervision. Compr Psychiatry 1981; 22:179–183

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Report by the Committee on Research Training of the Council on Research: women in academic psychiatry and research. Am J Psychiatry 1993; 150:849–851

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA

    Anna M. Spielvogel M.D., Ph.D. (associate clinical professor)

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky, USA

    Leah J. Dickstein M.D. (professor)

  3. University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Gail Erlick Robinson M.D., F.R.C.P.C. (professor of psychiatry and obsterics and gynecology)

Authors
  1. Anna M. Spielvogel M.D., Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Leah J. Dickstein M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gail Erlick Robinson M.D., F.R.C.P.C.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Consortia

Committee on Women of the American Psychiatric Association

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Spielvogel, A.M., Dickstein, L.J., Robinson, G.E. et al. A Psychiatric Residency Curriculum About Gender and Women’s Issues. Acad Psychiatry 19, 187–201 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03341545

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03341545

Keywords

Search

Navigation