NEED FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL COUNSELING - A COMP ARISON BETWEEN WOMEN AND MEN IN EASTERN AND WESTERN GERMANY

The increasing use of psychosocial medical care by women has resulted in a wider range of counselling facilities for specific problems conce rning women over the last few years. According to our survey including the population of both Western and Eastern Germany, however, there is no evidence that women have a greater need for counselling activities than men. Needs for counselling are more freely admitted by women tha n by men; counselling needs for so-called ''women's problems'' are mor e commonly observed in Eastern Germany, whereas male oriented problems predominate in Western Germany. The highest need for counselling exis ts in the field of ''Health'' and ''Social Security''.