Explore Gender Differences Research Articles

Sumptuary Laws, Gender, and Public Dressing in Early Modern Genoa

Abstract This article explores sumptuary legislation and its enforcement in early modern Genoa. Whereas the sumptuary laws from other early modern Italian city-states partitioned society by social rank, profession, or citizenship, the laws in effect in late sixteenth-century Genoa divided the population only into men and women. Genoa therefore represents a key site for exploring gender difference through dress and adornment. Adopting a gendered, sociological, and material culture framework, this article demonstrates how sumptuary laws informed understandings of gender and gendered practices of dressing. It takes as its point of departure a ledger of sumptuary denouncements for the year 1594, and examines how Genoa’s citizens adhered to, or transgressed the gendered expectations set out by the city’s legislative structures. It argues that while prescriptions for idealized masculine and feminine comportment coloured the content and wording of the law, in daily life a spectrum of gendered identities could be enacted through clothing. This article thus advances discourse on the impact of sumptuary laws on understandings of gender in early modern Italy, and the ways in which masculine and feminine identifications were negotiated through and in dialogue with clothing.

Gender differences in adherence and retention in Mediterranean diet interventions with a weight-loss outcome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The Mediterranean diet has been shown to be effective in improving health outcomes and for weight loss. Adherence and retention in dietary interventions are critical to ensure the benefits of the exposure. No studies to date have assessed the role of gender in understanding participants who remain engaged and adhere to Mediterranean diet interventions. This study aimed to explore gender differences in recruitment, adherence, and retention for Mediterranean diet interventions and whether these were associated with differences in weight-loss outcomes. A systematic search was completed in EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to March 2023. A meta-analysis of studies reporting retention by gender was completed using odds ratios comparing female to male dropout numbers. A second meta-analysis was completed for adherence comparing standardized mean difference of Mediterranean diet scores stratified by gender. Newcastle Ottawa score was used to assess risk of bias. A total of 70 articles were included in the systematic review with six articles included in the adherence meta-analysis and nine in the dropout meta-analysis. No statistically significant difference was shown for adherence or retention by gender. Weight-loss outcomes were inconsistent. The results of the study suggest a higher adherence and lower dropout for women although these results were not statistically significant. Future studies of Mediterranean diet interventions should include adherence, retention, and weight-loss data stratified by gender to allow further investigation of this relationship.

Exploring Gender Differences in the Association Between TyG Index and COPD: A Cross-Sectional Study from NHANES 1999-2018.

This study examined gender differences in the association of Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index with the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in a non-diabetic population. The study leveraged data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), spanning from 1999 to 2018, with a cohort of 23,456 participants. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were employed to explore the relationship between the TyG index and COPD prevalence. Statistical analyses revealed a significant positive association between the TyG index and COPD prevalence among non-diabetic women after adjustment for all covariates (OR=1.50; 95% CI, 1.08-2.08), supported by a linear relationship (P for non-linearity=0.298). No equivalent significant association was found in non-diabetic men (OR=1.00; 95% CI, 0.67-1.48). Within the diabetic group, the TyG index did not show a significant association with COPD prevalence, regardless of gender. Our study reveals a significant positive correlation between the TyG index and COPD prevalence in the non-diabetic population, marked by notable gender differences.

Exploring Gender Differences, Perceptions, and Behaviors: The Interplay Between Social Media Addiction and Social Appearance Anxiety Among Young Adults

The pervasive influence of social media has significantly impacted the mental health and well-being of young adults, particularly through increased social media addiction (SMA) and social appearance anxiety (SAA). Our study investigates the relationship between social media addiction and social appearance anxiety among young adults, highlighting the interplay between compulsive social media use and concerns about physical appearance. A sample of 549 undergraduate students from Turkey, including 339 females and 210 males, completed the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) and the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS). Data were analyzed using correlation, independent t-tests, and linear regression to explore the relationships and differences between variables. Our study found significant relationships between SMA and SAA, with higher levels of addiction linked to increased appearance anxiety. Social comparison tendencies and photo-editing behaviors were also associated with higher SMA and SAA. No significant gender differences were observed, suggesting a universal impact of social media on these psychological issues. The findings underscore the intertwined nature of SMA and SAA, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions that address both aspects to improve mental health outcomes. Promoting positive self-comparisons and reducing photo-editing behaviors online can help mitigate the negative effects of social media use on young adults’ mental well-being.

403.5: The breadwinner and the homemaker: A systematic literature review to explore gender differences in the motivation of donors and candidates to pursue living kidney donation.

403.5: The breadwinner and the homemaker: A systematic literature review to explore gender differences in the motivation of donors and candidates to pursue living kidney donation.

In what environment can female college students excel? An analysis of gender differences in learning of Chinese college students

With the expansion of higher education in China, gender equity has been largely improved at the entrance to undergraduate education. Yet, whether male and female students developed equally during college is still under debate. Using data from a Chinese national college student survey in 2021, this study explores gender differences in learning behaviors and outcomes of college students and examines whether they are influenced differently by educational environmental factors. Employing multiple regression models, we find that though female students outperformed males on active learning behaviors and academic scores, they were less active in higher-order learning behaviors, resource-intensive high-impact educational practice, and student-faculty interactions and reported lower educational gains than their male counterparts. Environmental and educational factors, including institute type, gender composition, academic challenges, and student support, influence the gender gaps in different ways. Overall, most female college students behave under the gender expectations of society and are less responsive to educational factors than their male counterparts. Collectively, these findings underscore the need for heightened awareness of gender gaps in the learning process in different learning environments and advocate for a more tailored collegiate environment that optimally supports female students’ educational pursuits.

Exploring gender differences in acoustic-thermal comfort and performance in a simulated working environment

This study investigated gender differences in acoustic-thermal comfort and cognitive performance in three workload levels in eight simulated work environments with two noise levels (55 and 75 dBA) and four air temperatures (18, 22, 26, and 30 °C). Subjective perceptions, including noise annoyance and fatigue, physiological measurements like Heart Rate Variability (HRV), respiration rate, and EEG variables (ALPHA, BETA, THETA) were used to assess comfort. In addition, the cognitive performance of men and women was evaluated on three levels: simple, medium, and complex. Women generally reported higher annoyance levels than men, especially at 75 dB noise level and increasing temperatures. Women experienced higher fatigue in warmer conditions than men. Women exhibited higher accuracy and lower reaction time than men at 18 °C and 22 °C with a quiet noise level (55 dBA) and simple and medium tasks. However, women acted accurately in complex tasks but had a higher reaction time. On the contrary, as the tasks are complicated and air temperature (26 °C and 30 °C) increases, men have higher accuracy and further reaction time than women. Accuracy and reaction time were diminished in both genders at 75 dBA noise level. Significant changes in the physiological parameters were observed at 18–22 °C for men and at 26–30 °C for women with the same noise level. Women had higher alpha and beta waves at 18–22 °C, indicating greater comfort and alertness, but these values decreased as air temperature rose. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of considering gender differences when designing indoor work environments for optimal comfort and performance.

P315. Exploring gender differences in outcomes following treatment for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficits

P315. Exploring gender differences in outcomes following treatment for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficits

Gender differences in first episode psychosis: Some arguments to develop gender specific treatment strategies

IntroductionSome aspects of gender differences in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) have been studied, especially in cross-sectional designs and with a short-term follow-up. However, only a few studies have considered the evolution during the follow-up of SSD patients according to their gender. In this study, we explore gender differences from the time of entry in an early intervention program for psychosis, up to three years follow-up. MethodsWe conducted a prospective study including a cohort of 474 patients treated at the Treatment and Early Intervention in Psychosis (TIPP) program, 319 men and 155 women, having presented a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Data regarding premorbid and baseline sociodemographic, psychopathological and patient functioning, were collected. These data were reassessed longitudinally after 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months after entry in TIPP. ResultsRegarding premorbid and baseline characteristics, woman developed threshold symptoms of a FEP 1 year later than men on average. Women were more likely to be married, men were more likely to live in pension or care home facility or to be homeless. Women displayed a higher rate of history of suicide attempts and exposure to childhood trauma, while men were more likely to have a forensic history, a history of abuse of alcohol and cannabis as well as a dependency to cannabis at the time of entry in TIPP. Regarding evolution, men were more prone to violent acts and were less likely to decrease their usage of substances. The longitudinal analysis highlighted that men displayed greater negative symptoms over the entire treatment period, lower functioning after 6 months and on all assessment points after. Both genders displayed similar rate of improvement in these 3 dimensions over time. ConclusionOur study confirms that there are some gender differences in the early phase of psychosis that may require differentiation of assessment and treatment to improve recovery.

Exploring Gender Differences of Business Owners in Relation to Marketing Campaigns and Strategic Orientations

This paper aimed to analyze gender differences of business owners when adopting marketing campaigns through social media in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia. The Strategic Orientations of MSME owners lead to sales and business development, which is comparable between the genders of the business owners. The study used a self-administered questionnaire to find responses from 100 male and female business owners of MSMEs. In the study, all the MSME owners, both male and female, have used social media in marketing and product promotion. The data was analyzed using the SPSS software program. The findings indicated that the way business owners adopt marketing campaigns is different between males and females which also influences their sales and business development. Male business owners are more likely to adopt the entrepreneurial and technological orientations while female business owners are more active in using social media in their marketing campaign. This study contributes to the evaluation of MSME business owners’ gender differences to serve their consumers in this digital era. Keywords: Gender Differences, Marketing, Strategic Orientation

Gender Representations, Empathy, and Gender-Based Violence Awareness Among Medical Students: A Proposal for a Specific Training Program.

In recent decades, the topic of gender differences has become central to many areas of study, including medicine. The present study explored gender differences in empathy, gender role ideologies, and gender sensitivity among medical students, highlighting significant variations that can inform medical education and training programs. The study involved 155 students (52.1% male; mean age: 22.68±2.48 years) from the Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry of the University of Salerno in Baronissi, Southern Italy. Participants completed two standardized scales: the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) to assess empathy, and the Nijmegen Gender Awareness in Medicine Scale (N-GAMS) to evaluate gender awareness. Six open-ended questions were also included in the gender-based violence representations. The ANOVA analysis reveals significant differences in scores between male and female students across the N-GAMS scales, indicating a strong role of gender in these variations. These findings suggest the necessity for further research to understand the contributing factors and inform targeted interventions in medical education. Additionally, there are significant differences in compassionate care (Factor 2) and walking in the patient's shoes (Factor 3), highlighting the substantial impact of gender on these latter aspects of empathy. These gender differences have significant implications for medical education. Training programs should be tailored to address the specific needs and characteristics of both male and female students. For example, encouraging male students to maintain their gender sensitivity while challenging traditional gender role ideologies can promote a more inclusive approach to patient care. For female students, fostering confidence in their compassionate care abilities and providing opportunities to express empathy in diverse ways can help overcome societal constraints.

Students’ Challenges and Experiences with Digital Teaching and Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case of Albania

COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly forced universities to implement digital teaching and learning toward students from Spring 2020 onwards. Many of the higher education institutions were unprepared to foster such forms of teaching and learning thus exposing both teachers and students toward many challenges with digital education. The aim of this study was to examine students’ experiences and challenges with online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, this work also aimed at exploring gender differences on these challenges with digital teaching and learning among university students. Using a quantitative research design, an online questionnaire was distributed among 458 students (19.2% males, 80.8% females) studying in different universities in Albania. The results showed that students (N = 451) have experienced challenges at a moderate level not encountering many technical issues or distractors during their online learning. However, the majority of respondents, around 60%, reported that they did not have a very good experience with digital teaching and learning. They encountered above-average difficulties, particularly with course instructors not staying in regular contact with students (N = 226, 50.1%) and not providing adequate support (N = 202, 44.8%). The results also revealed significant gender differences in students' experiences with digital teaching and learning (p = .037), with female students experiencing more challenges than their male counterparts. In conclusion, this study indicates that students faced numerous challenges with online learning during the pandemic, which adversely affected their academic performance.

Speech Acts in Facebook Status Updates: Exploring Gender Differences in Iraqi Arabic-Speaking Communities

Speech Acts in Facebook Status Updates: Exploring Gender Differences in Iraqi Arabic-Speaking Communities

Vocabulary Learning Strategies in Learning New Words for EFL Learners Based on Gender Differences

This study investigates vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) among male and female EFL learners at Muhammadiyah University Jember. Using questionnaires and interviews, the research explores gender differences in discovering and consolidating new vocabulary. The findings reveal that both genders primarily use dictionaries for discovery, with males preferring visual aids and females relying on social interactions. For consolidation, males favor spaced repetition and word lists, while females use mnemonics and narrative techniques. These insights highlight the need for differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning preferences.

Potential donors’ gender and prosocial behaviour: a brand anthropomorphism lens

This study explores the role of potential donors’ gender in prosocial behaviour, using an anthropomorphic lens. Its findings could aid non-profit organisations (NPOs) in eliciting individual charitable donations and thus accessing additional funding. A gender-neutral brand spokes-character was used as the stimulus in a survey questionnaire distributed via an online panel of 200 respondents, from which actual donation behaviour towards a South African NPO was captured. The data was analysed using multi-group moderation structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings indicated that potential donors’ gender plays a role in the relationships between brand anthropomorphism and prosocial behaviour in South Africa, highlighting the importance of context-specific considerations when exploring gender differences. Thus, contributions are made to understanding the role of gender in prosocial behaviour through a brand anthropomorphism lens. Practical context-specific insights related to actual donation behaviour in a developing country are also provided.

Up you get: Norwegian parents' reactions to children's negative emotions.

Developmental research suggests that children learn to regulate their emotions and behavior through a process of emotion socialization. The main body of literature is based on samples from the United States, and very little is known about the socialization of emotions in Nordic settings. The current study aimed to explore associations between mothers' and fathers' reactions to children's negative emotions and externalizing behavior problems in a Nordic cultural context, and to explore gender differences in these associations. Parent-report data on the Coping with Children's Negative Emotions Scale (CCNES) and the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory 6 (ECBI) was collected in a large sample of Norwegian preschool-aged children (mothers, n = 242; fathers, n = 183; N = 257; M = 54 months, SD = 4.54; 49% boys). Teacher-report data was collected using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) conduct scale (n = 117). Both parents' supportive and non-supportive reactions were associated with child externalizing difficulties in expected directions as evidenced by path models, controlling for socioeconomic status and age. A pattern emerged in which non-supportive reactions to a greater extent predicted an increase in externalizing problems in girls, and supportive reactions predicted lower levels of externalizing problems in boys. Our findings supported the basic assumptions of emotion socialization theory in a Nordic cultural context in which parental supportive and non-supportive responses are related to child externalizing difficulties. Nordic parents are important socialization agents for their children, but their behaviors had a differential effect on boys' and girls' externalizing behavior problems.

Impact as equalizer: the demise of gender-related differences in anti-doping research

In general, the presence and performance of women in science have increased significantly in recent decades. However, gender-related differences persist and remain a global phenomenon. Women make a greater contribution to multidisciplinary research, which renders anti-doping research a compelling area for investigating the gendered aspects of academic research. The research design was based on the overall research aim to investigate whether gender in a specific field (ADS) has an effect on different aspects of research impact, including (1) the size of citation impact obtained by the research output, (2) the impact on the development of the knowledge base of ADS, expressed as the capacity of integrating knowledge from different research areas, and (3) the (expected) type of research impact targeting either societal or scientific developments (or both). We used a previously compiled dataset of 1341 scientific outputs. Using regression analysis, we explored the role of authors’ gender in citations and the effect of authorship features on scientific impact. We employed network analysis and developed a novel indicator (LinkScore) to quantify gendered authors’ knowledge integration capacity. We carried out a content analysis on a subsample of 210 outputs to explore gender differences in research goal orientation as related to gender patterns. Women’s representation has been considerably extended in the domain of ADS throughout the last two decades. On average, outputs with female corresponding authors yield a higher average citation score. Regarding women's knowledge integration roles, we can infer that no substantial gender differences can be detected. Dominantly female papers were overrepresented among publications classified as aimed at scientific progress, while the share of male-authored papers was higher in publications classified as aimed at societal progress. Although no significant gender difference was observed in knowledge integration roles, in anti-doping women appear to be more interdisciplinary than men.

Cultural Perspective on Emotional Intelligence and Behaviour Patterns Among Adolescents in Gujarat and Maharashtra

Background Understanding the complex interplay between emotional intelligence and behaviour patterns among adolescents holds a pivotal role in shaping their developmental trajectories and overall well-being. Adolescence, marked by rapid physical, emotional and cognitive changes, is a critical phase where emotional skills and behavioural tendencies are particularly malleable. Purpose The study investigates the interplay between emotional intelligence and behaviour patterns among adolescents in Gujarat and Maharashtra, India. The research objectives encompassed assessing emotional intelligence levels, exploring gender differences and examining the relationship between emotional intelligence and behaviour patterns. Methods The research design employed ex post facto methodology, collecting data from 740 adolescents across CBSE schools. Validated measures for emotional intelligence and criminal propensity were utilized. Results The results revealed the impact of gender, regions and their interaction on different dimensions of emotional intelligence and criminal propensity. While some dimensions were significantly influenced by these factors, others remained unaffected. The correlation analysis underscored intricate relationships between emotional intelligence dimensions and criminal propensity. Conclusion The study contributes valuable insights into the dynamics of Emotional Intelligence and Behaviour Patterns among adolescents, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support systems. These findings hold implications for educators, parents and policymakers in fostering Emotional Intelligence development and curbing potential Behavioural concerns among adolescents.

Explanations for Gender Differences in Preferences for Submissive Sexual Fantasies.

Women have a stronger preference for sexualsubmission than men do. In the current studies, we investigated gender differences in fantasies about sexual submission. Replicating previous research, in twostudies we found that women expressed a stronger affinityfor fantasies about sexual submission than men did. However,controlling for age and several sociocultural factorsmade the relationship between gender and preference for sexual submission non-significant-that is, we could statistically eliminate the gender difference. These analyses suggest the multiple factorsthat may influencesexual preferences and the multiple ways that gender differences in preference for submissive sexual fantasies can be eliminated by easily assessed demographic and contextual differences in the experiences of women and men.

Exploring Gender Differences in Early Weight Change and Variability in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa during Inpatient Treatment.

Background: Adolescents' early responses and overall outcomes during anorexia nervosa (AN) treatment may differ by patient gender, raising the question of whether evaluating clinical data during AN treatment may require different criteria. Methods: We investigated, using patient records, whether young men and young women with AN differed in terms of early treatment response (defined as weight change and variability within the first 14 days) and whether early treatment responses predicted treatment outcomes similarly across genders. Results: Weight changes predicted patient discharge weight across all gender groups. Weight variability predicted higher disordered eating psychopathology and higher body image insecurities at discharge. Gender differences emerged only for weight gain, which was more pronounced for young men, and gender modulated the effects of weight gain and variability on general psychopathology outcomes. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that early weight changes and weight variability are similarly important predictors of AN treatment outcomes in adolescents but also hint at possible gender differences in terms of the link between weight change and, respectively, variability on general psychopathology.