Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede in der psychotherapeutischen Versorgung: Aktuelle Daten aus Österreich

Background: Gender-specific differences in mental illnesses have been widely confirmed. Gender differences have also been found in the utilization of psychotherapeutic and medical care services. The present study is the first to examine gender differences in the utilization of psychotherapeutic care in Austria. Material and methods: A sample of 1909 inpatients (64% women) with a mental illness were questioned about the utilization of outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment during inpatient treatment at a psychosomatic clinic in Austria. Both outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment prior to the current inpatient psychosomatic treatment as well as the planned follow-up outpatient treatment were assessed. Results: The majority of the patients (70%) had been suffering from a mental disorder for more than 2 years, almost half (45%) had already received inpatient treatment and 82% had already received outpatient treatment prior to the current treatment. Thus, the present data are from a sample of chronically mentally ill patients. The results showed gender-specific differences in the utilization of psychotherapeutic treatment. Men visited medical doctors less often than women, were less often in psychotherapeutic pretreatment (men 79%, women 84%) and also planned further follow-up inpatient treatment less often. Conclusion: This gender difference in the utilization of psychotherapeutic treatment could be explained by the fact that there are differences in social expectations towards men and women. The motivation for treatment in men could be promoted by a gender-specific treatment strategy.