چکیده (انگلیسی):

This study aims at exploring the differences in the social factors that pre-dispose men and women to depression. The
study employed a qualitative research approach where in- depth interview techniques were employed with a sample
of 60 participants (30 males and 30 females) from the Accra and Pantang Psychiatric Hospitals in Ghana. The results
were analyzed qualitatively from gender perspectives using the Constant Comparative Approach of the grounded
theory. The results of this study showed that the major social causes depression emanate from experiences associated
with the dynamics of marriage. While experiences within conjugal relationships presents the greatest challenges to
women that of men rested on experiences as a result of breakdown of conjugal relationships. Moreover, in contrast to
the theory of learned hopelessness known to be associated with depression, respondents in this study showed
extreme degrees of hopefulness based on a strong belief of divine intervention. The study advocates for better
understanding of the unique nature of the social causes of depression among men and women in order to provide
resources that can help in developing and implementing sustainable strategies to prevent its occurrences and mitigate
its effects on households and communities.