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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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    7. 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.
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    9. 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.
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    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. Kimberly Smith & Silvie Colman, "undated". "Evaluation of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Approaches: Design of the Impact Study," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 159b7fa95d6c4f58b4b1eefbc, Mathematica Policy Research.
    14. 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.
    15. 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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    Keywords

    gender health behaviour;

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