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Gender differences in health related behaviour: Some unanswered questions

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  • Kandrack, Mary-Anne
  • Grant, Karen R.
  • Segall, Alexander

Abstract

To date, no single explanation has accounted for discrepancies between male and female morbidity rates and health care utilization patterns. The sociomedical approach to sex/gender differences in health related behaviour has generated a variety of hypotheses. However, despite extensive study, many unanswered questions remain. The findings of this study fall short of offering conclusive evidence as to the causes of variations in morbidity and health services use between women and men. However, an effort is made to identify the salience of social role and related social status characteristics (e.g. labour force participation) in accounting for variation in health, illness and sick role behaviour. This paper utilizes data from the 1983 Winnipeg Area Study. Findings of this study raise questions about the adequacy of current concepts and measures for studying sex/gender differences in health related behaviour. The study concludes with a critical discussion of conceptual, methodological and theoretical issues which must be considered in our efforts to advance our understanding of why women experience greater longevity, but experience greater morbidity and make more extensive use of health services.

Suggested Citation

  • Kandrack, Mary-Anne & Grant, Karen R. & Segall, Alexander, 1991. "Gender differences in health related behaviour: Some unanswered questions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 579-590, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:32:y:1991:i:5:p:579-590
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    Cited by:

    1. Quan Gao & Orlando Woods & Xiaomei Cai, 2021. "The Influence of Masculinity and the Moderating Role of Religion on the Workplace Well-Being of Factory Workers in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Rachel Shapiro, 2013. "Balancing Fidelity and Flexibility: Implementing the Gen.M Program in Texas," Mathematica Policy Research Reports c47651d2490440ebac818cebd, Mathematica Policy Research.
    3. Matthias Marsall & Gerrit Engelmann & Eva-Maria Skoda & Martin Teufel & Alexander Bäuerle, 2021. "Validation and Test of Measurement Invariance of the Adapted Health Consciousness Scale (HCS-G)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-14, June.
    4. Raquel Sánchez-Recio & Cristina García-Ael & Gabriela Topa, 2021. "Influence of Gender Determinants on Informal Care and Health Service Utilization in Spain: Ten Years after the Approval of the Equality Law," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, April.
    5. van der Windt, Peter & Vandoros, Sotiris, 2017. "Democracy and health: Evidence from within-country heterogeneity in the Congo," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 10-16.
    6. 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.
    7. Sophie Seité & Alyce Mei-Shiuan Kuo & Charles Taieb & Tamara Lazić Strugar & Peter Lio, 2020. "Self-Reported Prevalence of Allergies in the USA and Impact on Skin—An Epidemiological Study on a Representative Sample of American Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-9, May.
    8. Dorota Ortenburger & Dariusz Mosler & Jarosław Cholewa & Jacek Wąsik, 2023. "Relationship of Sense of Coherence to Healthy Behavior in Taekwon-Do Athletes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-10, January.
    9. Jofre-Bonet, Mireia & Serra-Sastre, Victoria & Vandoros, Sotiris, 2018. "The impact of the Great Recession on health-related risk factors, behaviour and outcomes in England," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 213-225.
    10. Michelle Calvarese, 2015. "The Effect of Gender on Stress Factors: An Exploratory Study among University Students," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-8, November.
    11. Cousineau, Tara M. & Franko, Debra L. & Ciccazzo, Michele & Goldstein, Marion & Rosenthal, Erica, 2006. "Web-based nutrition education for college students: Is it feasible?," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 23-33, February.
    12. Wandwalo, Eliud & Makundi, Emmanuel & Hasler, Torunn & Morkve, Odd, 2006. "Acceptability of community and health facility-based directly observed treatment of tuberculosis in Tanzanian urban setting," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(2-3), pages 284-294, October.
    13. Jatrana, Santosh & Crampton, Peter, 2009. "Affiliation with a primary care provider in New Zealand: Who is, who isn't," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(3), pages 286-296, August.
    14. Jayanta Kumar Bora & Nandita Saikia, 2015. "Gender Differentials in Self-Rated Health and Self-Reported Disability among Adults in India," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(11), pages 1-14, November.
    15. Kimberly Smith & Silvie Colman, "undated". "Evaluation of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Approaches: Design of the Impact Study," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 159b7fa95d6c4f58b4b1eefbc, Mathematica Policy Research.

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    Keywords

    gender health behaviour;

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