Culture, society and gender in depression

The dilemmas inherent in the inclusion of the sociocultural variables in the assessment and treatment of depression are multifold. In this article, three broad themes are selected for discussion: (1) the challenge of cultural translation of mainstream professional definitions of depression to culturally diverse groups; (2) sociopolitical discourses and power differentials regarding gender, class and race and their possible contributions to depression; and (3) the impact of migration, cultural change and generational conflict on manifestations of depression.