Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diversity and Gender Differences in Treatment

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Diversity in Global Mental Health

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Psychology ((BRIEFSPSYCHOL))

Abstract

Pharmacological and psychological research has been dominated by Western-centric cultural and ethnic paradigms. These paradigms are not always gender inclusive and often fail to acknowledge and cater for the existing diversity in the world’s population. This lack of inclusivity has consequences and leads to differential outcomes in mental health in men and women as well as minorities. From a pharmacological point of view the lack of inclusivity may lead to increase in side effects and lack of response to treatment. Multiple strategies can be used to bridge this gap. Promoting the recruitment of equal numbers of men and women in clinical trials, ensuring recruitment of ethnic minorities by engaging these communities and issuing guidelines about inclusivity by research institutions, regulatory bodies and scientific journals are some of the actions required to achieve better mental health for all.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Bibliography

  1. Lind, K. E., Gutierrez, E. J., Yamamoto, D. J., Regner, M. F., McKee, S. A., & Tanabe, J. (2017). Sex disparities in substance abuse research: Evaluating 23 years of structural neuroimaging studies. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 173, 92–98.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Will, T. R., Proano, S. B., Thomas, A. M., Kunz, L. M., Thompson, K. C., Ginnari, L. A., Jones, C. H., Lucas, S. C., Reavis, E. M., Dorris, D. M., & Meitzen, J. (2017). Problems and progress regarding sex bias and omission in neuroscience research. eNeuro, 4(6), ENEURO.0278–ENEU17.2017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Nielsen, M., Haun, D., Kartner, J., & Legare, C. H. (2017). The persistent sampling bias in developmental psychology: A call to action. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 162, 31–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Beery, A. K., & Zucker, I. (2011). Sex bias in neuroscience and biomedical research. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 35(3), 565–572.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Kong, B. Y., Haugh, I. M., Schlosser, B. J., Getsios, S., & Paller, A. S. (2016). Mind the gap: Sex bias in basic skin research. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 136(1), 12–14.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. GAO. (2001). Most drugs withdrawn in recent years had greater health risks for women. https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-01-286R. Accessed 16 Dec 2018.

  7. Phillips, S. P., & Hamberg, K. (2016). Doubly blind: A systematic review of gender in randomised controlled trials. Global Health Action, 9, 29597. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v3409.29597.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. FDA. (1993). Guideline for the study and evaluation of gender differences in the clinical evaluation of drugs; notice. Federal Register, 58(139), 39406–39416.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Geller, S. E., Koch, A., Pellettieri, B., & Carnes, M. (2011). Inclusion, analysis, and reporting of sex and race/ethnicity in clinical trials: Have we made progress? Journal of Women’s Health (2002), 20(3), 315–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Geller, S. E., Koch, A. R., Roesch, P., Filut, A., Hallgren, E., & Carnes, M. (2018). The more things change, the more they stay the same: A study to evaluate compliance with inclusion and assessment of women and minorities in randomized controlled trials. Academic Medicine : Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 93(4), 630–635.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Fisher, J. A., & Ronald, L. M. (2010). Sex, gender, and pharmaceutical politics: From drug development to marketing. Gender Medicine, 7(4), 357–370.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Marazziti, D., Baroni, S., Picchetti, M., Piccinni, A., Carlini, M., Vatteroni, E., Falaschi, V., Lombardi, A., & Dell’Osso, L. (2013). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodinamics of psychotropic drugs: Effect of sex. CNS Spectrums, 18(3), 118–127.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Verster, J. C., & Roth, T. (2012). Gender differences in highway driving performance after administration of sleep medication: A review of the literature. Traffic Injury Prevention, 13(3), 286–292.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Pettinati, H. M., Kampman, K. M., Lynch, K. G., Suh, J. J., Dackis, C. A., Oslin, D. W., & O’Brien, C. P. (2008). Gender differences with high-dose naltrexone in patients with co-occurring cocaine and alcohol dependence. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 34(4), 378–390.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Salvador Sanchez, J., David, M. D., Torrent Seto, A., Martinez Alonso, M., Portella Moll, M. J., Pifarre Paredero, J., Vieta Pascual, E., & Mur Lain, M. (2017). Electroconvulsive therapy clinical database: Influence of age and gender on the electrical charge. Revista de psiquiatria y salud mental, 10(3), 143–148.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Chen, M. S., Jr., Lara, P. N., Dang, J. H., Paterniti, D. A., & Kelly, K. (2014). Twenty years post-NIH Revitalization Act: Enhancing minority participation in clinical trials (EMPaCT): Laying the groundwork for improving minority clinical trial accrual: Renewing the case for enhancing minority participation in cancer clinical trials. Cancer, 120 Suppl 7, 1091–1096.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Polo, A. J., Makol, B. A., Castro, A. S., Colon-Quintana, N., Wagstaff, A. E., & Guo, S. (2019). Diversity in randomized clinical trials of depression: A 36-year review. Clinical Psychology Review, 67, 22–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. A, L. L., Naranjo, M. E., Rodrigues-Soares, F., Penas, L. E. M., Farinas, H., & Tarazona-Santos, E. (2014). Interethnic variability of CYP2D6 alleles and of predicted and measured metabolic phenotypes across world populations. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, 10(11), 1569–1583.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Cespedes-Garro, C., Fricke-Galindo, I., Naranjo, M. E., Rodrigues-Soares, F., Farinas, H., de Andres, F., Lopez-Lopez, M., Penas-Lledo, E. M., & LL, A. (2015). Worldwide interethnic variability and geographical distribution of CYP2C9 genotypes and phenotypes. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, 11(12), 1893–1905.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Gaedigk, A., Sangkuhl, K., Whirl-Carrillo, M., Klein, T., & Leeder, J. S. (2016). Prediction of CYP2D6 phenotype from genotype across world populations. Genetics in Medicine, 19, 69.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Denisenko, N. P., Sychev, D. A., Sizova, Z. M., Rozhkov, A. V., & Kondrashov, A. V. (2016). Effect of CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms on the efficacy of proton pump inhibitor-based triple eradication therapy in Slavic patients with peptic ulcers: A meta-analysis. Eksperimental’naia i klinicheskaia gastroenterologiia (Experimental & Clinical Gastroenterology), (11), 11–16.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Giri, A. K., Khan, N. M., Grover, S., Kaur, I., Basu, A., Tandon, N., Scaria, V., Kukreti, R., Brahmachari, S. K., & Bharadwaj, D. (2014). Genetic epidemiology of pharmacogenetic variations in CYP2C9, CYP4F2 and VKORC1 genes associated with warfarin dosage in the Indian population. Pharmacogenomics, 15(10), 1337–1354.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Breakey, W. R., & Dunn, G. J. (2004). Racial disparity in the use of ECT for affective disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(9), 1635–1641.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Weindling, P., von Villiez, A., Loewenau, A., & Farron, N. (2016). The victims of unethical human experiments and coerced research under National Socialism. Endeavour, 40(1), 1–6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Weigmann, K. (2015). The ethics of global clinical trials: In developing countries, participation in clinical trials is sometimes the only way to access medical treatment. What should be done to avoid exploitation of disadvantaged populations? EMBO Reports, 16(5), 566–570.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Sipe, W. E., & Eisendrath, S. J. (2012). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: Theory and practice. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (Revue canadienne de psychiatrie), 57(2), 63–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Tao, K. W., Owen, J., Pace, B. T., & Imel, Z. E. (2015). A meta-analysis of multicultural competencies and psychotherapy process and outcome. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62(3), 337–350.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Mehl-Madrona, L. (2016). Indigenous knowledge approach to successful psychotherapies with aboriginal suicide attempters. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (Revue canadienne de psychiatrie), 61(11), 696–699.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Calabria, B., Clifford, A., Rose, M., & Shakeshaft, A. P. (2014). Tailoring a family-based alcohol intervention for Aboriginal Australians, and the experiences and perceptions of health care providers trained in its delivery. BMC Public Health, 14, 322.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Eley, R., & Gorman, D. (2010). Didgeridoo playing and singing to support asthma management in Aboriginal Australians. The Journal of Rural Health, 26(1), 100–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Marquez, D. X., Wilson, R., Aguinaga, S., Vasquez, P., Fogg, L., Yang, Z., Wilbur, J., Hughes, S., & Spanbauer, C. (2017). Regular Latin dancing and health education may improve cognition of late middle-aged and older Latinos. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 25(3), 482–489.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Schiff, J. W., & Moore, K. (2006). The impact of the sweat lodge ceremony on dimensions of well-being. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research (Online), 13(3), 48–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Krysinska, K., Batterham, P. J., & Christensen, H. (2017). Differences in the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for suicidal ideation and behaviour in women and men: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Archives of Suicide Research, 21(1), 12–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kvarstein, E. H., Nordviste, O., Dragland, L., & Wilberg, T. (2017). Outpatient psychodynamic group psychotherapy - outcomes related to personality disorder, severity, age and gender. Personality and Mental Health, 11(1), 37–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Holzinger, A., Floris, F., Schomerus, G., Carta, M. G., & Angermeyer, M. C. (2012). Gender differences in public beliefs and attitudes about mental disorder in western countries: A systematic review of population studies. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 21(1), 73–85.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Seidler, Z. E., Rice, S. M., Ogrodniczuk, J. S., Oliffe, J. L., & Dhillon, H. M. (2018). Engaging men in psychological treatment: A scoping review. American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(6), 1882–1900.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Gross, J. J., & Levenson, R. W. (1997). Hiding feelings: The acute effects of inhibiting negative and positive emotion. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 106(1), 95–103.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Kingston, D., & Tough, S. (2014). Prenatal and postnatal maternal mental health and school-age child development: A systematic review. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 18(7), 1728–1741.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Brummelte, S., & Galea, L. A. (2016). Postpartum depression: Etiology, treatment and consequences for maternal care. Hormones and Behavior, 77, 153–166.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Eckenrode, J., Campa, M., Luckey, D. W., Henderson, C. R., Jr., Cole, R., Kitzman, H., Anson, E., Sidora-Arcoleo, K., Powers, J., & Olds, D. (2010). Long-term effects of prenatal and infancy nurse home visitation on the life course of youths: 19-year follow-up of a randomized trial. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 164(1), 9–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Orton, L., Pennington, A., Nayak, S., Sowden, A., White, M., & Whitehead, M. (2016). Group-based microfinance for collective empowerment: A systematic review of health impacts. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 94(9), 694–704a.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. UN. (2015). The World’s Women 2015, Trends and statistics. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/gender/chapter1/chapter1.html. Accessed 17 Dec 2018.

  43. Committee on Ethics. (2015). ACOG Committee Opinion No. 646: Ethical Considerations for Including Women as Research Participants. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 126(5), e100–e107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Durant, R. W., Wenzel, J. A., Scarinci, I. C., Paterniti, D. A., Fouad, M. N., Hurd, T. C., & Martin, M. Y. (2014). Perspectives on barriers and facilitators to minority recruitment for clinical trials among cancer center leaders, investigators, research staff, and referring clinicians: Enhancing minority participation in clinical trials (EMPaCT). Cancer, 120 Suppl 7, 1097–1105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Lewis, M. E., & Myhra, L. L. (2017). Integrated care with indigenous populations: A systematic review of the literature. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research (Online), 24(3), 88–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Holden, K., McGregor, B., Thandi, P., Fresh, E., Sheats, K., Belton, A., Mattox, G., & Satcher, D. (2014). Toward culturally centered integrative care for addressing mental health disparities among ethnic minorities. Psychological Services, 11(4), 357–368.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Benish, S. G., Quintana, S., & Wampold, B. E. (2011). Culturally adapted psychotherapy and the legitimacy of myth: A direct-comparison meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(3), 279–289.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Parra-Cardona, R., Lopez-Zeron, G., Leija, S. G., Maas, M. K., Villa, M., Zamudio, E., Arredondo, M., Yeh, H. H., & Domenech Rodriguez, M. M. (2019). A culturally adapted intervention for Mexican-origin parents of adolescents: The need to overtly address culture and discrimination in evidence-based practice. Family Process, 58(2), 334–352.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Pan, D., Huey, S. J., Jr., & Hernandez, D. (2011). Culturally adapted versus standard exposure treatment for phobic Asian Americans: Treatment efficacy, moderators, and predictors. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 17(1), 11–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Jenkins, E. K., Kothari, A., Bungay, V., Johnson, J. L., & Oliffe, J. L. (2016). Strengthening population health interventions: Developing the CollaboraKTion framework for community-based knowledge translation. Health Research Policy and Systems, 14(1), 65.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Jenkins, E. K., Bungay, V., Patterson, A., Saewyc, E. M., & Johnson, J. L. (2018). Assessing the impacts and outcomes of youth driven mental health promotion: A mixed-methods assessment of the Social Networking Action for Resilience study. Journal of Adolescence, 67, 1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Jagsi, R., Griffith, K. A., Jones, R. D., Stewart, A., & Ubel, P. A. (2017). Factors associated with success of clinician-researchers receiving career development awards from the National Institutes of Health: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. Academic Medicine: Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 92(10), 1429–1439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Carnes, M., & Bairey Merz, C. N. (2017). Women are less likely than men to be full professors in cardiology: Why does this happen and how can we fix it? Circulation, 135(6), 518–520.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  54. Kafer, J., Betancourt, A., Villain, A. S., Fernandez, M., Vignal, C., Marais, G. A. B., & Tenaillon, M. I. (2018). Progress and prospects in gender visibility at SMBE annual meetings. Genome Biology and Evolution, 10(3), 901–908.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, Women’s College Hospital and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, WCH Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV), Toronto, ON, Canada

    Blanca Bolea-Alamanac

Authors
  1. Blanca Bolea-Alamanac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. Bährer-Kohler & Partners, Basel, Switzerland, International University of Catalonia, Tropical Neurology and Neuroinfection Master, Barcelona, Spain

    Sabine Bährer-Kohler

  2. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Blanca Bolea-Alamanac

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Bolea-Alamanac, B. (2019). Diversity and Gender Differences in Treatment. In: Bährer-Kohler, S., Bolea-Alamanac, B. (eds) Diversity in Global Mental Health. SpringerBriefs in Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29112-9_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation