Details of stream 2 studies

Non-Clinical Cohort Study

Principal Investigator: Wilhelm
Since 1978, a cohort of men and women has been periodically assessed, with a 20-year follow-up identifying that about half had a lifetime history of anxiety, depression or substance abuse.

As rates have been stable in the last decade, this suggests that it is opportune to study both resilience (those who have not developed a disorder) and the effects of disorder on their spouses and children.

Gender Differences in the Experience of Depression

Principal Investigator: Wilhelm
This cohort study commenced in 1978, to quantify depressive experience in a non-clinical group, with an emphasis on sex differences in rates and longitudinal course of depressive episodes, the relationship between depression and anxiety and the sex differences in coping styles and help seeking behaviour.

Impact of Depression on Cardiac Functioning

Principal Investigator: Parker
It is now well established that individuals who have experienced a depressive episode are more likely to have a heart attack while those who have had a heart attack and who are depressed are more likely to have a poor outcome. Our objectives are to determine whether the impact emerges from depression per se or a higher order variable – and identify the higher order variable.

Men’s Experience of Depression

Principal Investigator: Wilhelm
Women have higher rates of depression and anxiety (related to internal experience of distress) while men have higher rates of substance abuse and ‘acting out’ personality disorders (related to external manifestation of distress). The aim is to try and understand men’s’ internal experience and whether there are elements of men’s experience that equate to depression but are conceptualised differently.