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Reversals of fortune? Sex differences in health in childhood and adolescence

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  • Sweeting, Helen

Abstract

This paper reviews findings on sex differences in health among children and adolescents, concentrating particularly on the ages 7-15 years. The overall picture is of a gradual emergence of excess morbidity in females over this life stage. In respect of overall levels of chronic illness, higher male rates in childhood are replaced by higher female rates which emerge in early-mid adolescence. This pattern is also seen in an examination of the rates of two common childhood conditions, asthma and migraine/headaches. An excess of psychological disturbance (largely neurotic disorders) among females emerges in early-mid adolescence, in comparison with younger ages where males predominate. Sex differences in the utilization of health services appear to mirror these patterns of excess morbidity. There is also evidence that with increasing age there is a strengthening in the sex patterning of illness behaviour. In contrast to the emphasis which has been given to explaining the emergence of a female excess in psychological disturbance and illness-related behaviours and attitudes during early adolescence, much less attention has been given to the understanding of the excess in physical complaints among females which also arises over this period. The paper suggests that this may be directly related to the relative lowering of their psychological well-being during early adolescence. Longitudinal studies are required in order to answer questions concerning age by sex interactions in respect of morbidity in childhood and adolescence.

Suggested Citation

  • Sweeting, Helen, 1995. "Reversals of fortune? Sex differences in health in childhood and adolescence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 77-90, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:40:y:1995:i:1:p:77-90
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Zajacova & Katrina Walsemann & Jennifer Dowd, 2015. "The Long Arm of Adolescent Health Among Men and Women: Does Attained Status Explain Its Association with Mid-Adulthood Health?," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 34(1), pages 19-48, February.
    2. MacLean, Alice & Sweeting, Helen & Egan, Matt & Der, Geoff & Adamson, Joy & Hunt, Kate, 2013. "How robust is the evidence of an emerging or increasing female excess in physical morbidity between childhood and adolescence? Results of a systematic literature review and meta-analyses," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 96-112.
    3. MacLean, Alice & Sweeting, Helen & Hunt, Kate, 2010. "'Rules' for boys, 'guidelines' for girls: Gender differences in symptom reporting during childhood and adolescence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(4), pages 597-604, February.
    4. Torsheim, Torbjørn & Ravens-Sieberer, Ulrike & Hetland, Jorn & Välimaa, Raili & Danielson, Mia & Overpeck, Mary, 2006. "Cross-national variation of gender differences in adolescent subjective health in Europe and North America," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(4), pages 815-827, February.
    5. Dovey, Susan & Tilyard, Murray & Cunningham, Wayne & Williamson, Martyn, 2011. "Public and private funding of general practice services for children and adolescents in New Zealand," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 103(1), pages 24-30.
    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.

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    Keywords

    sex morbidity childhood adolescence;

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