Gender-related variables for health research

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Health Research Methodology

Background:

• Sex as a biological variable (SABV) is widely studied, but gender as a sociocultural variable (GASV) is less understood in health research.
• Existing quantitative tools for assessing gender's influence on health are lacking, hindering comprehensive analysis.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the interaction between sex and gender in health and disease processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a quantitative assessment tool for gender as a sociocultural variable (GASV) in health research.
• To complement existing measures of sex as a biological variable (SABV) by incorporating sociocultural gender dimensions.
• To facilitate the analysis of gender's impact on health outcomes in diverse Western populations.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of gender-related measures from 1975-2015 identified key variables across gender norms, traits, and relations.
• The Stanford Gender-Related Variables for Health Research tool was developed with 44 items across 7 validated constructs.
• Data were collected from three US cross-sectional survey populations, including internet-based surveys and a patient-research registry.

Main Results:

• Factor analyses reduced 11 constructs to 7 key gender-related variables: caregiver strain, work strain, independence, risk-taking, emotional intelligence, social support, and discrimination.
• Regression analyses, controlling for demographic factors and gender identity, revealed significant associations between these gender variables and self-rated general health, physical and mental health, and health-risk behaviors.
• The study demonstrates the utility of the developed instrument in identifying gender-specific health influences.

Conclusions:

• The Stanford Gender-Related Variables for Health Research instrument provides a precise, survey-based measure for assessing gender in relation to health.
• This tool can elucidate how specific gender-related behaviors and attitudes influence health and disease, independently or in conjunction with biological sex and gender identity.
• Future research utilizing this instrument in experimental studies, including clinical trials, may reveal gender's role as a treatment-effect modifier, informing clinical decision-making.