ABSTRACT
Gender is an influential factor in health behaviour and health status. It is an influence that has biological, intrapersonal, social and cultural components. The influence of gender is noticeable throughout the life course, from childhood to old age. The influence of gender illustrates the interaction between personal, behavioural and environmental factors for health and disease. Gender-specific patterns of health and disease behaviour are also found in the use of medical and psychotherapeutic services. Men and women deal with their bodies and psyche differently, and each develops specific patterns of health behaviour. Health behaviour reflects the biographical and environmental conditions of everyday life. Every woman and every man has leeway for shaping their own gender role based on biological endowment and temperament. Gender is to a large extent a social and cultural construct. Endogenous depression has biological roots; neurotic depression can be traced back to formative personality structures; and reactive depressions occur as a consequence of stressful life events.
