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Gender differences in the perceptions of common cold symptoms

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  • Macintyre, Sally

Abstract

Higher rates of reported morbidity among women are sometimes attributed to lower thresholds among women for experiencing and reporting symptoms. Gender differences in the perception of signs and symptoms of minor illness were examined on data from the MRC Common Cold Unit. Volunteers assessed the presence and severity of colds at the end of their stay in the Unit, using the same two measures as a trained clinical observer (all ratings were double blind). Even after adjustment for other variables, men were significantly more likely to 'over-rate' their symptoms in comparison with the clinical observer than were women. These data, and recent analyses from elsewhere, suggest that rather than artefactually exaggerating gender differences in morbidity, differing thresholds for perceiving and reporting symptoms may produce underestimates of gender differences in morbidity.

Suggested Citation

  • Macintyre, Sally, 1993. "Gender differences in the perceptions of common cold symptoms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 15-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:36:y:1993:i:1:p:15-20
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Caroli, Eve & Weber-Baghdiguian, Lexane, 2016. "Self-reported health and gender: The role of social norms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 220-229.
    2. Bipalab Dhak & Mutharayappa R, 2009. "Gender Differential in Disease Burden:Its Role to Explain Gender Differential in Mortality," Working Papers 221, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore.
    3. Koopmans, Gerrit T. & Lamers, Leida M., 2007. "Gender and health care utilization: The role of mental distress and help-seeking propensity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(6), pages 1216-1230, March.

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