Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Depression is a gendered phenomenon: gender dynamics affect depression in women, while welfare dynamics shape the overall well being of depressed women. Can women friendly care practices help depressed women? This question is explored in the Women and Depression Project (WDP), designed to develop feminist action research and establish women friendly care practices. Data from 101 respondents are analysed. Feminist self-help techniques were learned for depressed women to become active subjects in healing their depression. Conclusions show that depression is a consequence of invisible gendered tensions in a women friendly welfare state. The study makes a step forward by problematising women's experience of depression in the private and public domain. If new understandings of women and depression develop, these must include ideas on how depression is shaped at the public and private interface as well as how distress and well being have cultural as well as gendered variations.