Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects mood, thoughts, behavior, and overall quality of life. It arises from a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. While depression is more frequently diagnosed in women, research suggests that men may experience and express depressive symptoms differently. Men are more likely to display symptoms such as irritability, anger, impulsivity, or increased alcohol use, and they may be less likely to seek professional psychological support due to social expectations and fear of stigma.

Stigma-both self-stigma (internalized negative beliefs about having a mental illness) and perceived social stigma (concerns about being judged by others)-can negatively influence individuals' willingness to seek help and adhere to treatment. In addition, psychological resilience, defined as the ability to cope effectively with stress and adversity, may play an important role in how individuals experience depressive symptoms and respond to treatment.

This study aims to compare women and men diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in terms of depression severity, gender-sensitive depressive symptoms, self-stigma, perceived social stigma, and levels of psychological resilience. It will also examine the relationships among these factors to better understand how gender-related differences influence the experience and management of depression.

Findings from this study may contribute to improved recognition of gender-specific features of depression, reduction of stigma, and the development of more individualized and effective mental health interventions for both women and men.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female patients aged 18 to 65 years
• Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder according to DSM-5 at the time of study participation
• Provision of voluntary informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intellectual disability
• Severe neurological disorders
• Comorbid psychiatric diagnoses
• Depressive disorder secondary to an organic medical condition
• Depressive disorder secondary to substance use

Patients who presented to the Department of Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic at Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine.

De-identified individual participant data collected in the study will be shared. This will include demographic variables (e.g., age, gender, education level, marital status), clinical variables related to Major Depressive Disorder, and scale scores obtained from the study instruments. Specifically, the dataset will contain participants' scores on depression severity measures, gender-sensitive depression symptom scales, psychological resilience scales, and stigma measures used in the study. All shared data will be anonymized and will not include any information that could directly identify individual participants.

The de-identified individual participant data and supporting materials will be made available beginning 6 months after publication of the study results. The data will remain available for a period of 5 years following publication.

Describe who will be able to access the IPD and supporting information, what they will be able to access, and how they will be able to access it.