To explore the gender differences and influencing factors of adult mental health, and provide a basis for reducing the gender differences in mental health and formulating classified intervention strategies.

Based on the epidemiological survey data of mental illness in Wuxi City from December 2013 to June 2014, 2 600 adults aged 18 years and above were selected from the main urban area by multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method. Finally, 2 396 cases completed general situation questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting the mental health of men and women.

Among the 2 396 subjects, there were 1 143 males and 1 253 females, aged (48.46±16.47) years. The positive rate of female mental health problems was 19.23% (241/1 253), which was higher than that of male mental health problems [14.87% (170/1 143)] (P<0.05). In terms of the performance of GHQ-12 psychobehavioral characteristics, women were more likely to suffer from insomnia due to excessive worry, indecisiveness, pain and anxiety, and loss of confidence than men, while men were less unable to enjoy life than women (allP<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of female mental health were migrant population, the middle-aged and elderly, no spouse, primary school education background or below, physical diseases, and sleep problems (allOR>1,P<0.05); the risk factors of male mental health were old age, no spouse, junior middle school education background or below, annual income under 10 000 Yuan, smoking, drinking, not actively acquiring health knowledge, and physical diseases (allOR>1,P<0.05).

There exists gender differences in mental health status of adults, and the factors affecting the mental health status of men and women are different.

Mental health; Gender differences; Influencing factors