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Gender differences in physical symptoms and illness behavior: A health diary study

Author

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  • Gijsbers van Wijk, Cecile M. T.
  • Huisman, Henk
  • Kolk, Annemarie M.

Abstract

Recent studies on symptom perception have highlighted the role of psychological factors, such as mood states and external involvement, in physical symptom reporting. To date, the consistently found higher physical symptom reports in women have not been studied from this perspective. The present study aimed to investigate the psychological determinants of gender differences in physical symptoms and illness behavior on a daily basis. During four adjacent weeks, a healthy primary care sample of 92 women and 61 men kept health diaries, containing scales for physical symptoms, illness behavior, external information and positive and negative mood. The daily health records showed the typical gender difference in physical symptoms, but not in illness behavior. Negative mood was found to be the strongest predictor of physical symptoms. Physical symptoms in turn were the strongest predictor of illness behavior. The modest gender difference in physical symptoms disappeared after controlling for positive and negative mood. Thus, mood states seem to mediate gender differences in symptom reporting.

Suggested Citation

  • Gijsbers van Wijk, Cecile M. T. & Huisman, Henk & Kolk, Annemarie M., 1999. "Gender differences in physical symptoms and illness behavior: A health diary study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 49(8), pages 1061-1074, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:49:y:1999:i:8:p:1061-1074
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. David C Currow & Katherine Clark & Geoffrey K Mitchell & Miriam J Johnson & Amy P Abernethy, 2013. "Prospectively Collected Characteristics of Adult Patients, Their Consultations and Outcomes as They Report Breathlessness When Presenting to General Practice in Australia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(9), pages 1-1, September.
    2. Van Diest, Ilse & De Peuter, Steven & Eertmans, Audrey & Bogaerts, Katleen & Victoir, An & Van den Bergh, Omer, 2005. "Negative affectivity and enhanced symptom reports: Differentiating between symptoms in men and women," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(8), pages 1835-1845, October.
    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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