Impairment and distress associated with symptoms of male-typed and female-typed DSM-IV Axis-I disorders

Recent research has established a pattern of impairment and distress associated with the symptoms of DSM‐IV Axis‐II disorders such that personality disorders occurring more commonly among males are associated with more social and occupational impairment, but less personal distress, than personality disorders occurring more commonly among females. The current study examined whether a similar pattern exists for DSM‐IV Axis‐I disorders. Lay judges (N = 206) rated the social impairment, occupational impairment, and personal distress associated with the symptoms of six male‐typed and six female‐typed Axis‐I disorders. Impairment and distress were associated with male‐typed and female‐typed Axis‐I disorders in the same manner as personality disorders. Reasons for the emphasis of social and occupational impairment among male‐typed disorders and distress among female‐typed disorders are discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.