Crying in natural settings: global estimates, self-monitored frequencies, depression and sex differences in an undergraduate population

Normative data on estimated crying frequencies among college students are presented; women reported crying seven times as frequently as men, although there was a wide range of frequencies for both sexes. Moderate correlations of global estimates with 2 months of self-monitoring data were obtained. Measures comparing pre- and post-crying depression levels with pre- and post-nontearing episodes revealed that crying was no more likely to be accompanied by the alleviation of depression than when the S reported feeling like crying but did not produce tears. Because of their stability and relationship to self-monitored frequencies, global estimates of crying may provide information useful to the clinician.