Work role and depression in women: a comparison of workers and housewives in treatment.

Comparison of a patient population of depressed housewives with a matched group of depressed working women revealed some significant differences in social functioning in relation to work roles. The psychological benefits of outside employment have been widely discussed in relation to middle-class and upper-class women; this study indicates that, for women of lower socio-economic status, work may also have a protective psychological effect.