Gender and Schizophrenia: Are Differences Biological or Social?

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating major mental disorder which causes significant burden worldwide. Gender may significantly influence its biological features-onset, clinical symptoms, course and outcome. Gender also influences its social consequences: degree of disability, quality of life, stigma, discrimination and social outcomes such as marriage, parenting and caregiving. Gender-based disparities result in the gender gap for availability and access to treatment services and to disability benefits. We review biological and social factors which determine the outcome of schizophrenia. Social workers are well positioned to examine the critical role of gender at the intersection of the biological, psychological and social influences which determine the consequences of this illness on patients and their families. They can facilitate the formulation of gender- and culture-sensitive interventions to improve treatment outcome in both male and female patients of schizophrenia.