Social representations of major depression in West and East Germany - Do differences still persist 11 years after reunification?

Background In a population survey that was carried out in 1990, differences between the former Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic were observed with regard to the social representation of depression. Back then, we predicted that in a few years these differences would have reduced. To test this hypothesis, a second survey was conducted in 2001. Method In 1990, a representative survey was carried out in both parts of Germany. A total of 3098 personal, fully structured interviews were completed, 2118 in West Germany and 980 in East Germany. The survey was repeated in 2001 using the same measures. This time, 5025 interviews were conducted, 4005 in West Germany and 1020 in East Germany. Results While in 1990 there had been numerous differences between the two parts of Germany with regard to the social representation of depression, in 2001 most of these differences had disappeared. Lay concepts of depression held by interviewees from East Germany have assimilated to those held by interviewees from West Germany. In both parts of Germany, a marked change in favor of biological conceptualizations of depression was observable, with heredity and brain disease more frequently being seen as a cause in 2001. Conclusion The hypothesis that the differences between lay concepts of depression that were prevalent in West and East Germany in 1990 would have reduced by 2001 was supported by our results. Our study shows that cultural processes, such as the process of acculturation that took place in Germany between 1990 and 2001, have an effect on the social representation of mental disorders.