ABSTRACT
Here, as elsewhere, conceptualizations of mental health and research methodology have shaped conclusions. That is to say, mental health is a socially constructed phenomenon. By some definitions of mental health, women have a poor prognosis; however, other approaches suggest equivalence in the mental health status of women and men. One strategy in assessing sex differences in mental health has been to look at rates of utilization of services. Typically, this involves examination of admission records. However, admission records may not reflect the true incidence of disorder in the general population.
