Background:
In a population survey that was carried out in 1990,
differences between the former Federal Republic of Germany and
the German Democratic Republic were observed with regard to the
social representation of depression. Back then, we predicted
that in a few years these differences would have reduced. To
test this hypothesis, a second survey was conducted in
2001.
Method:
In 1990, a representative survey was carried out in both
parts of Germany. A total of 3098 personal, fully structured
interviews were completed, 2118 in West Germany and 980 in East
Germany. The survey was repeated in 2001 using the same
measures. This time, 5025 interviews were conducted, 4005 in
West Germany and 1020 in East Germany.
Results:
While in 1990 there had been numerous differences between
the two parts of Germany with regard to the social
representation of depression, in 2001 most of these differences
had disappeared. Lay concepts of depression held by interviewees
from East Germany have assimilated to those held by interviewees
from West Germany. In both parts of Germany, a marked change in
favor of biological conceptualizations of depression was
observable, with heredity and brain disease more frequently
being seen as a cause in 2001.
Conclusion:
The hypothesis that the differences between lay concepts
of depression that were prevalent in West and East Germany in
1990 would have reduced by 2001 was supported by our results.
Our study shows that cultural processes, such as the process of
acculturation that took place in Germany between 1990 and 2001,
have an effect on the social representation of mental
disorders.