TITLE:
Gender Differences in Hope and Its Relevance to Depression Symptoms among Norwegian Adolescents
AUTHORS:
Britt-Maj Wikström, Bente Lorentzen, Sindre Lorentzen
KEYWORDS:
Depression Symptoms, Norwegian Cross-National Ungdata, Adolescents, Hope, Future Expectations, Gender
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.8 No.2,
February
23,
2018
ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Several studies indicate that the number of
individuals experiencing depression symptoms is growing. There is a prevailing
consensus in the literature that while depression is represented among both
genders, it is consistently reported that females are more exposed to
depression compared to males both in frequency and severity. Studies suggest
that as many as 15 - 20 percent of adolescents in Norway exhibit depression or
depression like symptoms. Furthermore, several studies indicate that the number
of individuals experiencing depression symptoms is growing. There is a
prevailing consensus in the literature that while depression is represented
among both genders, it is consistently reported that females are more exposed
to depression compared to males both in frequency and severity. Methods: All data utilized in
this study were extracted from the Norwegian Ungdata survey conducted in 2014
among adolescents in Norway. The sample consists of 46,374 observations. Conclusions: The finding of significant differences in prevalence
of self-diagnosed depression symptoms among Norwegian adolescents, showed
females are more exposed. Furthermore, as hypothesized, there is a strong and
significant relation between hope and depression, where hope is proxied through
expectations regarding the individuals’ future education, happiness and wealth.
Based on these findings, we apply hope as an instrument for addressing
depression symptoms. Results from this analysis indicate that males are significantly
less optimistic for the future.