Am J Psychiatry 1976; 133:995-1007
Copyright © 1976 by American Psychiatric Association
Overview: research on the psychology of women. I. Gender differences and sexual and reproductive life
AM Seiden
There has been a recent and rapid increase in research literature
pertaining to women; this revolution in women's studies may be currently
unequaled in any other field related to psychiatry. In this first part of a
two-part article the author briefly discusses the social and intellectual
contexts of research in this area. She reviews recent research on gender
differences in behavior and on women's sexual and reproductive lives,
including various aspects of the menstrual cycle, menopause, diseases of
the reproductive organs, coitus, rape, childbirth, lactation, and fertility
control. The second part will cover research on women in families,
communities, work, and psychotherapy; and it will attempt to assess
limitations of present knowledge and the anticipated directions and impact
of future research.
