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Kim YS, Lee JY, Kim JW, Kang SJ, Park JH, Kim HJ, Jang SH, Kim JH, Oh JH. Masculinity, Rather Than Biological Sex, Is Associated With Psychological Comorbidities in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024; 30:361-372. [PMID: 38321628 PMCID: PMC11238104 DOI: 10.5056/jnm23012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) generally shows sex differences, and psychiatric comorbidities play an important role in its pathogenesis. We aim to measure the levels of gender roles and investigate their relationship with psychiatric factors in patients with IBS versus healthy controls. Methods Patients diagnosed with IBS by Rome III and whose colonoscopy findings were normal were enrolled at multiple sites in Korea. The participants completed the Korean Sex Role Inventory-Short Form (KSRI-SF) to assess masculinity and femininity, the stress questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire to assess the quality of life (QOL). Results In total, 102 patients with IBS (male:female = 35:67; mean age 42.6 ± 16.7 years) and 55 controls (male:female = 20:35; mean age 42.4 ± 11.1 years) were recruited. IBS patients had higher stress (9.69 ± 8.23 vs 4.56 ± 8.31, P < 0.001) and HADS scores (16.12 ± 7.17 vs 10.22 ± 5.74, P < 0.001) than the control group, but showed no significant difference in KSRI-SF scores. No significant differences in HADS and KSRI-SF scores were found between males and females. However, IBS patients whose symptoms worsened due to stress and patients with anxiety or depression had significantly lower masculinity. QOL was poorer in IBS patients than in controls. In stepwise multivariate analyses, the anxiety score, depression score, and the degree of daily life disturbance, not masculinity, were associated with the QOL of IBS patients. Conclusions IBS patients had higher stress, more psychiatric comorbidities, and lower QOL than controls. Low masculinity, rather than sex, was associated with stress and psychological comorbidities, which deteriorated the QOL in IBS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Sung Kim
- Digestive Disease Research Institute, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea, Good Breath Clinic, Gunpo, Gyeonggi-do Korea
| | - Ju Yup Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jung-Wook Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Joo Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine and Healthcare Research Institute, Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Ho Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea
| | - Seung-Ho Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea
| | - Ji-Hyeon Kim
- Department of Education, Hongik University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Hwan Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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2
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Liu W, Ding C, Li Z, Chen H. Relationships between Grey Matter Volume in the Bilateral Superior Frontal Gyrus and Reactive Aggression Varied by Level of Traditional Masculinity. Brain Sci 2024; 14:605. [PMID: 38928605 PMCID: PMC11201878 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Although previous behavioral studies have associated reactive aggression (RA) and proactive aggression (PA) with traditional masculinity, further investigation is needed into the traditional masculinity-linked neuroanatomical characteristics of RA and PA. This study analyzed the traditional masculinity-by-aggression interaction in 705 participants (350 men) by measuring grey matter volume (GMV). We have expanded on previous studies and found that traditional masculinity was not associated with RA and PA when not controlled for traditional femininity. However, the association appeared when controlling for it. Furthermore, we found significant traditional masculinity-by-RA interactions on the GMV in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus, a region known to be involved in cognitive control. When traditional masculinity scores were 1 standard deviation above the mean, there was a positive correlation between RA and the GMV in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus. Conversely, when traditional masculinity scores were 1 standard deviation below the mean, there was a negative correlation between RA and the GMV in the region. However, no traditional masculinity-linked neuroanatomical characteristics of PA were found. The results indicated that individuals with high/low traditional masculinity perceived RA as a different outcome (gain or loss) of self-control. The results supported an opportunity to develop prevention or intervention strategies for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (W.L.); (Z.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Research Center of Psychology and Social Development, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Cody Ding
- Department of Education Sciences & Professional Programs, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63121-4400, USA;
| | - Ziang Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (W.L.); (Z.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Research Center of Psychology and Social Development, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (W.L.); (Z.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Research Center of Psychology and Social Development, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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3
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Casto KV, Cohen DJ, Akinola M, Mehta PH. Testosterone, gender identity and gender-stereotyped personality attributes. Horm Behav 2024; 162:105540. [PMID: 38652981 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Sex/gender differences in personality associated with gender stereotyped behavior are widely studied in psychology yet remain a subject of ongoing debate. Exposure to testosterone during developmental periods is considered to be a primary mediator of many sex/gender differences in behavior. Extensions of this research has led to both lay beliefs and initial research about individual differences in basal testosterone in adulthood relating to "masculine" personality. In this study, we explored the relationships between testosterone, gender identity, and gender stereotyped personality attributes in a sample of over 400 university students (65 % female assigned at birth). Participants provided ratings of their self-perceived masculinity and femininity, resulting in a continuous measure of gender identity, and a set of agentic and communal personality attributes. A saliva sample was also provided for assay of basal testosterone. Results showed no compelling evidence that basal testosterone correlates with gender-stereotyped personality attributes or explains the relationship between sex/gender identity and these attributes, across, within, or covarying out sex assigned at birth. Contributing to a more gender diverse approach to assessing sex/gender relationships with personality and testosterone, our continuous measure of self-perceived masculinity and femininity predicted additional variance in personality beyond binary sex and showed some preliminary but weak relationships with testosterone. Results from this study cast doubt on the activational testosterone-masculinity hypothesis for explaining sex differences in gender stereotyped traits and within-sex/gender variation in attributes associated with agency and communality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen V Casto
- Kent State University, Department of Psychological Sciences, United States of America.
| | - Dale J Cohen
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Department of Psychology, United States of America
| | - Modupe Akinola
- Columbia University, Columbia Business School, United States of America
| | - Pranjal H Mehta
- University College London, Department of Experimental Psychology, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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4
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Faris ME, Al Gharaibeh F, Islam MR, Abdelrahim D, Saif ER, Turki EA, Al-Kitbi MK, Abu-Qiyas S, Zeb F, Hasan H, Hashim MS, Osaili TM, Radwan H, Cheikh Ismail L, Naja F, Bettayeb FZ, Obaid RS. Caffeinated energy drink consumption among Emirati adolescents is associated with a cluster of poor physical and mental health, and unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1259109. [PMID: 37908686 PMCID: PMC10613644 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1259109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Consumption of caffeinated energy drinks (CED) has escalated during the last few years, especially among schoolchildren, with evident adverse health sequelae in this critical age group. Objective This study examined the prevalence of CED consumption and its associations with sleep, physical and mental health, and dietary and lifestyle habits among schoolchildren in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method A structured self-administered online questionnaire was developed and disseminated among schoolchildren aged 14-18 years, selected from schools of the seven emirates of the UAE. Results More than 4,500 (N= 4,648) responses received. A relatively low prevalence of CED consumption (20%) was found among schoolchildren in the UAE. However, those who reported CED consumption were more likely to report unhealthy dietary (skipping breakfast, frequent snacking, and eating fast foods, low fruit, and vegetable intake) and lifestyle behaviors (long screen time, poor sleep health), in addition to poor self-reported mental and physical health than non-users. CED consumption was significantly and variably associated with multiple sociodemographic factors such as students' nationality, parental companionship, sex, school type, education level (children's and parents'), daily allowance, academic performance, screen time, sleep quality parameters, self-reported physical and mental health, and parents' employment. Sources of knowledge about CED were social media (55%), friends/schoolmates (52%), and family members (52%). Students believed that CED constitute sugar (87%), caffeine (69%), artificial flavors (67%) sweeteners (54%), and stimulating components (43%). The majority (70%) of students reported that CED consumption increases the risks for heart disease, diabetes, high blood sugar (65%), addiction (64%), high blood pressure (59%), and obesity (57%). Conclusion These results offer important insights for health professionals, child health specialists, policymakers, and parents in the UAE regarding adolescents' attitudes, knowledge and behaviors toward CED consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- MoezAlIslam E. Faris
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fakir Al Gharaibeh
- Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - M. Rezaul Islam
- Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dana Abdelrahim
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eman Rashid Saif
- Health Promotion Department, Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eman Ali Turki
- Health Promotion Department, Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mahra Khalfan Al-Kitbi
- Health Promotion Department, Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Salma Abu-Qiyas
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Falak Zeb
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hayder Hasan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mona S. Hashim
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tareq M. Osaili
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Hadia Radwan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farah Naja
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatima Zohra Bettayeb
- Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Reyad Shaker Obaid
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Research (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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5
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Pletzer B, Lang C, Derntl B, Griksiene R. Weak associations between personality and contraceptive choice. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:898487. [PMID: 36389244 PMCID: PMC9648366 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.898487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prospective randomized controlled trials on hormonal contraceptive (HC) effects on the brain are rare due to a number of methodological challenges. Thus, much of the evidence on HC effects on the brain comes from cross-sectional studies comparing HC-users to non-users. In interpreting these findings, it is of importance to be aware of potential confounds associated with women's contraceptive choices. Previous studies have discussed age, education, social status, sexual orientation, relationship status, and tolerability of HC. Given the current trend toward a reduction in HC use and increased skepticism toward HC it seems relevant to also identify variables associated with women's attitudes toward HC and whether they may represent confounds for neuroscientific studies. In the present study, we investigated whether women's personality characteristics were associated with their choice to use or not use HC in the present, past and future and the type of HC chosen. 1,391 females aged 18-45 years participated in an online survey including the HEXACO-60 personality questionnaire, as well as two different measures of gender role, and provided information about their current and previous contraceptive status, as well as experiences with and attitudes toward contraceptive use. We compared (i) current, previous and never-users of HC, (ii) prospective users of HC to women who opposed future HC use, and (iii) current users of IUDs to current users of oral contraceptives. Results revealed that associations between personality and the decision to use or not use HC were negligible, while differences in personality were observed corresponding to contraceptive type. Current users of IUDs showed higher agreeableness and extraversion compared to current users of oral contraceptives. The results suggest that personality is more strongly associated to the choice of contraceptive type rather than the choice between hormonal and non-hormonal options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Carmen Lang
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ramune Griksiene
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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6
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Horstmann S, Schmechel C, Palm K, Oertelt-Prigione S, Bolte G. The Operationalisation of Sex and Gender in Quantitative Health-Related Research: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:7493. [PMID: 35742742 PMCID: PMC9224188 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Current trends in quantitative health research have highlighted the inadequacy of the usual operationalisation of sex and gender, resulting in a growing demand for more nuanced options. This scoping review provides an overview of recent instruments for the operationalisation of sex and gender in health-related research beyond a concept of mutually exclusive binary categories as male or masculine vs. female or feminine. Our search in three databases (Medline, Scopus and Web of Science) returned 9935 matches, of which 170 were included. From these, we identified 77 different instruments. The number and variety of instruments measuring sex and/or gender in quantitative health-related research increased over time. Most of these instruments were developed with a US-American student population. The majority of instruments focused on the assessment of gender based on a binary understanding, while sex or combinations of sex and gender were less frequently measured. Different populations may require the application of different instruments, and various research questions may ask for different dimensions of sex and gender to be studied. Despite the clear interest in the development of novel sex and/or gender instruments, future research needs to focus on new ways of operationalisation that account for their variability and multiple dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Horstmann
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany;
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Corinna Schmechel
- Gender and Science Research Unit, Institute of History, Humboldt-University of Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany; (C.S.); (K.P.)
| | - Kerstin Palm
- Gender and Science Research Unit, Institute of History, Humboldt-University of Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany; (C.S.); (K.P.)
| | - Sabine Oertelt-Prigione
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
- Sex- and Gender-Sensitive Medicine Unit, University of Bielefeld, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Gabriele Bolte
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany;
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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7
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Eagly AH, Revelle W. Understanding the Magnitude of Psychological Differences Between Women and Men Requires Seeing the Forest and the Trees. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2022; 17:1339-1358. [PMID: 35532752 PMCID: PMC9442632 DOI: 10.1177/17456916211046006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Whether women and men are psychologically very similar or quite different is a contentious issue in psychological science. This article clarifies this issue by demonstrating that larger and smaller sex/gender differences can reflect differing ways of organizing the same data. For single psychological constructs, larger differences emerge from averaging multiple indicators that differ by sex/gender to produce scales of a construct’s overall typicality for women versus men. For example, averaging self-ratings on personality traits more typical of women or men yields much larger sex/gender differences on measures of the femininity and masculinity of personality. Sex/gender differences on such broad-gauge, thematic variables are large relative to differences on their component indicators. This increased effect magnitude for aggregated scales reflects gains in both their reliability and validity as indicators of sex/gender. In addition, in psychological domains such as vocational interests that are composed of many variables, at least some of which differ by sex/gender, the multivariate distance between women and men is typically larger than the differences on the component variables. These analyses encourage recognition of the interdependence of sex/gender similarity and difference in psychological data.
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8
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Exploring the sex and gender correlates of cognitive sex differences. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2021; 221:103452. [PMID: 34801881 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The correlates of cognitive sex differences are yet to be fully understood. Many biological and psychosocial factors modulate these cognitive abilities leading to mixed results in the scientific literature. The current study aims to explore the different parameters potentially influencing cognitive abilities acting in synergy. Sex and gender correlates of cognitive functioning were assessed in a sample of individuals ages 18 to 45 years (N = 87) from diverse sexual orientations. Sex hormones were assessed via saliva samples at four timepoints throughout the testing. Gender roles, sexual orientation and socio-demographics were measured via self-report questionnaires. Participants completed mental rotation and verbal fluency tasks. Men performed better than women at mental rotation, while no significant difference was found for verbal fluency. Significant positive associations were observed between estradiol and word fluency for the naturally cycling women compared to the women using oral contraception. While controlling for sex hormones, a significant interaction effect of sex by gender roles was identified for mental rotation among masculine women. These exploratory results suggest an effect principally driven by sex and sex hormones on cognitive performance that will need to be furthered with larger studies.
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Gruber FM, Distlberger E, Scherndl T, Ortner TM, Pletzer B. Psychometric Properties of the Multifaceted Gender-Related Attributes Survey (GERAS). EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 2020; 36:612-623. [PMID: 32913384 DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Since the 1920s, psychologists have sought to assess the sex- and gender-related attributes of men and women, including primarily aspects of personality and focusing on positive characteristics. In this paper, we introduce a new questionnaire for assessing gender-related attributes with a broader approach than provided by previous ones. Therefore, the questionnaire includes (a) not only personality traits but also cognitions and interests and (b) not only positive but also negative and neutral characteristics. Two independent datasets were acquired (Study 1: N = 1,466; Study 2: N = 471) for development and psychometric analyses. Factor analysis confirmed a hierarchical structure with two separate dimensions of masculinity and femininity overarching the multiple first-order domains of personality, cognition, and interests. Analyses of reliability and convergence with other gender identity and personality scales revealed sufficient values. The new instrument discriminated between the biological sexes and was related to the gender quotas in participants' occupations and social environments, thus providing evidence for criterion-related validity. Therefore, we propose the Gender-Related Attributes Survey (GERAS) as a useful tool for objectively assessing gender-related attributes across multiple facets in gender and sex-difference research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya M Gruber
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria.,Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Austria
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10
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Mollayeva T, Bordignon C, Ishtiaq M, Colquhoun H, D'Souza A, Archambault P, Lewko J, Quilico E, Colantonio A. Knowledge of sex and gender and related information needs in patients with traumatic brain injury: in-depth interview study. Disabil Rehabil 2019; 43:1872-1882. [PMID: 31702962 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1683235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM This research aimed to gain an understanding of biological sex and social gender phenomena experienced by patients with traumatic brain injury in recovery, and to understand the educational needs of this group. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews of 40 adult patients (22 men, 18 women) of different ages, education levels, and ethnicities, with diagnoses of mild and moderate-severe traumatic brain injury at the acute and chronic stages post-injury. RESULTS Applying classic content analysis with inductive coding, three overarching themes that limited patients' knowledge and subsequent efforts to obtain information on the topic emerged: (1) the complexity of sex and gender subject matters, (2) patients' dependence on others, and (3) uncertainty about the course of recovery. The first diminished the patient's desire to seek further information. Dependence on others and trust that others were in a better position to use the information, compelled patients to redirect the need for education to clinicians, significant others, and the public on the unique post-injury experiences of men and women. Uncertainty about what to expect in the acute phases, and a feeling of identity loss in the chronic phases, established patients' desire to seek out only the information they believed to be necessary for them to carry on with life. CONCLUSIONS In developing recommendations for patient education, variations in patients' knowledge and desire for information, and the reasons behind these variations, should be considered. Improving injury prognosis requires taking into account the gendered context of injury and recovery from it.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONSex/gender issues in traumatic brain injury are complex; the challenge is identifying which information is most relevant for patients; this research assessed patients' knowledge of and interest in sex/gender-related topics in traumatic brain injury.Evidence shows most patients unable to differentiate between sex and gender, but when asked about living as a man or woman with traumatic brain injury, disturbed gender roles and identities became evident.Gender shapes the health status trajectory and outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury which becomes evident when attention is paid to patients' personal life stories.To improve traumatic brain injury prognosis, clinicians should tailor management plans taking into account gender, an amalgamation of biological, behavioural, cultural, and social characteristics of their patients.In research, explicit and consistent consideration of the interrelated constructs of sex and gender would produce a better understanding of the different mechanisms that shape the course of traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Mollayeva
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Acquired Brain Injury Research Lab, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Caterina Bordignon
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Biology Department, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Maryam Ishtiaq
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Biology Department, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Heather Colquhoun
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea D'Souza
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick Archambault
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de premi ère ligne de l'Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - John Lewko
- School of Rural and Northern Health, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | - Enrico Quilico
- Acquired Brain Injury Research Lab, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Angela Colantonio
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Acquired Brain Injury Research Lab, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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11
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Pletzer B, Steinbeisser J, van Laak L, Harris T. Beyond Biological Sex: Interactive Effects of Gender Role and Sex Hormones on Spatial Abilities. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:675. [PMID: 31338015 PMCID: PMC6629906 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in spatial abilities are well documented, even though their underlying causes are poorly understood. Some studies assume a biological basis of these differences and study the relationship of sex hormone levels to spatial abilities. Other studies assume social influences and study the relationship of gender role (masculinity/femininity) to spatial abilities. Contemporary theories postulate a psychobiosocial model of sex differences in spatial abilities, in which both biological (e.g., hormonal) and psychosocial (e.g., gender role) variables interactively modulate spatial abilities. However, few studies have addressed both aspects simultaneously. Accordingly, the present study explores potential interactive effects between gender role and sex hormones on spatial performance. 41 men and 41 women completed a mental rotation and a virtual navigation task. Sex hormone levels and gender role were assessed in all participants. Sex differences favoring men were observed in both tasks. We found that neither sex hormones nor gender role alone emerged as mediators of these sex differences. However, several interactive effects between gender role and sex hormones were identified. Combined effects of masculinity and testosterone were observed for those variables that displayed sex differences. Participants with both, high masculinity and high testosterone showed the best performance. However, this association was further modulated by biological sex and progesterone levels. Furthermore, we observed an interactive effect of femininity, estradiol and testosterone on response times in both tasks. Consistent across both tasks and irrespective of biological sex, testosterone related to response times in participants with low estradiol levels, depending on their femininity. In participants with low femininity, testosterone was related to slower reaction times, while in participants with higher femininity, testosterone was related to faster reaction times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Lara van Laak
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - TiAnni Harris
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Pletzer B. Sex Hormones and Gender Role Relate to Gray Matter Volumes in Sexually Dimorphic Brain Areas. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:592. [PMID: 31275099 PMCID: PMC6591487 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigates the relationship of circulating sex hormone levels and gender role to gray matter volumes in sexually dimorphic brain areas and explores, whether these relationships are modulated by biological sex (as assigned at birth based on sexual anatomy) or oral contraceptive (OC) use. It was hypothesized that testosterone and masculinity relate positively to gray matter volumes in areas that are typically larger in men, like the hippocampus or cerebellum, while estradiol/progesterone and femininity relate positively to gray matter volumes in the frontal cortex. To that end, high resolution structural MRI scans, sex hormone levels and gender role self-assessments were obtained in a large sample 89 men, 89 naturally cycling (NC) women, and 60 OC users. Men showed larger regional gray matter volumes than women in the cerebellum and bilateral clusters spanning the putamen and parts of the hippocampi/parahippocampi and fusiform gyri. In accordance with our hypotheses, a significant positive association of testosterone to hippocampal volumes was observed in women irrespective of OC use. Participant's self-reported femininity was significantly positively associated with gray matter volumes in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) in men. In addition several differences between OC-users and NC women were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Hornung J, Smith E, Junger J, Pauly K, Habel U, Derntl B. Exploring Sex Differences in the Neural Correlates of Self-and Other-Referential Gender Stereotyping. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:31. [PMID: 30833893 PMCID: PMC6387933 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
While general self-referential processes and their neural underpinnings have been extensively investigated with neuroimaging tools, limited data is available on sex differences regarding self- and other-referential processing. To fill this gap, we measured 17 healthy women and men who performed a self- vs. other-appraisal task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using gender-stereotypical adjectives. During the self-appraisal task, typical male (e.g., "dominant," "competitive") and female adjectives (e.g., "communicative," "sensitive") were presented and participants were asked whether these adjectives applied to themselves. During the other-appraisal task, a prototypical male (Brad Pitt) and female actor (Julia Roberts) was presented and participants were asked again to judge whether typical male and female adjectives applied to these actors. Regarding self-referential processes, women ascribed significantly more female compared to male traits to themselves. At the same time both women and men indicated a stronger desire to exhibit male over female traits. While fMRI did not detect general sex differences in the self- and other-conditions, some subtle differences were revealed between the sexes: both in right putamen and bilateral amygdala stronger gender-congruent activation was found which was however not associated with behavioral measures like the number of self-ascribed female or male attributes. Furthermore, sex hormone levels showed some associations with brain activation pointing to a different pattern in women and men. Finally, the self- vs. other-condition in general led to stronger activation of the anterior cingulate cortex while the other- vs. self-condition activated the right precuneus more strongly which is in line with previous findings. To conclude, our data lend support for subtle sex differences during processing of stereotypical gender attributes. However, it remains unclear whether such differences have a behavioral relevance. We also point to several limitations of this study including the small sample size and the lack of control for potentially different hormonal states in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Hornung
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elke Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jessica Junger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- JARA-BRAIN Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Katharina Pauly
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- JARA-BRAIN Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- JARA-BRAIN Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Pletzer B. Editorial: From sex differences in neuroscience to a neuroscience of sex differences: new directions and perspectives. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:330. [PMID: 26441504 PMCID: PMC4585126 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University SalzburgSalzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University SalzburgSalzburg, Austria
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