Gender Differences In Adaptation Research Articles

Gender differences in adaptation to heat in Spain (1983–2018)

In Spain the average temperature has increased by 1.7 °C since pre-industrial times. There has been an increase in heat waves both in terms of frequency and intensity, with a clear impact in terms of population health. The effect of heat waves on daily mortality presents important territorial differences. Gender also affects these impacts, as a determinant that conditions social inequalities in health. There is evidence that women may be more susceptible to extreme heat than men, although there are relatively few studies that analyze differences in the vulnerability and adaptation to heat by sex. This could be related to physiological causes. On the other hand, one of the indicators used to measure vulnerability to heat in a population and its adaptation is the minimum mortality temperature (MMT) and its temporal evolution.The aim of this study was to analyze the values of MMT in men and women and its temporal evolution during the 1983–2018 period in Spain's provinces. An ecological, longitudinal retrospective study was carried out of time series data, based on maximum daily temperature and daily mortality data corresponding to the study period. Using cubic and quadratic fits between daily mortality rates and the temperature, the minimum values of these functions were determined, which allowed for determining MMT values. Furthermore, we used an improved methodology that provided for the estimation of missing MMT values when polynomial fits were inexistent. This analysis was carried out for each year. Later, based on the annual values of MMT, a linear fit was carried out to determine the rate of evolution of MMT for men and for women at the province level.Average MMT for all of Spain's provinces was 29.4 °C in the case of men and 28.7 °C in the case of women. The MMT for men was greater than that of women in 86 percent of the total provinces analyzed, which indicates greater vulnerability among women. In terms of the rate of variation in MMT during the period analyzed, that of men was 0.39 °C/decade, compared to 0.53 °C/decade for women, indicating greater adaptation to heat among women, compared to men. The differences found between men and women were statistically significant. At the province level, the results show great heterogeneity.Studies carried out at the local level are needed to provide knowledge about those factors that can explain these differences at the province level, and to allow for incorporating a gender perspective in the implementation of measures for adaptation to high temperatures.

Predictors of psychosocial adaptation and mental wellbeing among people with chronic illness and disabilities in a chinese context

IntroductionThe process of adjustment to disability and illness among people with chronic illness and disabilities (CID) impacts on motivation for rehabilitation illness self-management, and psychological well-being. It involves a complex interplay of biopsychosocial factors, and was seldom examined in the Chinese context.ObjectivesIdentify the predictors of mental well-being of people with from a set of variables including illness and social support, functional abilities, coping strategies, resilience. Examine how these factors interact in determining psychosocial adaptation and mental well-being by structural equations modelling (SEM).MethodsWe conducted a survey of people with CID, who were recruited from community-rehabilitation settings and self-help groups (N = 244). The research questionnaire collected basic demographic information, illness-related variables (e.g. pain, fatigue, functional limitations), and RIDI), social support, measures of resilience, coping, psychosocial ad as predictors, and mental well-being.ResultsOf General Linear Model (GLM) revealed that males have better adaptation than females. Resilience, social coping, & active problem solving are significant predictors of adaptation (Table 1), while age, breathing, pain, resilience, avoidance coping, are predictors of maladaptation (Table 2). A SEM was tested to examine the interaction among the predictors and outcome of adaptation and mental well-being (Figure 1), and the model fit was fair (CFI = 0.89; RMSEA = 0.09)ConclusionsThe results indicated that there are gender differences in adaptation. While all the hypothesized groups of variables contributed to mental well-being of people with CID. Resilience, illness variables, and some forms of coping are closely linked to adaptation and maladaptation.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Farmers\u2019 perceptions and matching climate records jointly explain adaptation responses in four communities around Lake Tana, Ethiopia

Farmers’ climate perceptions are responsible for shaping their adaptive responses and are thus essential to consider for the design of strategies to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience. In this study, we collected social data in four communities in the central Ethiopian Highlands on farmers’ climate perceptions and adaptations using group discussions and PRA tools. We related these to climate data spanning 30 years (1981 to 2010), consisting of daily minimum temperature, maximum temperature and precipitation, modelled for the four communities using global databases and regional meteorological data. We found that farmers’ climate perceptions showed considerable spatial and gender differences. Perceptions matched well with records describing climate variability, particularly in terms of the shortening and the increased variability of the rainy season, as well as the occurrence of extreme drought in recent years. Climate change, described by long-term average increases in temperature and decreases in precipitation, was perceived, but with subordinate priority. Perceived climate impacts included reduced crop yield, increased occurrence of pests and diseases and increased crop damage by extreme events and poverty. Adaptations were mainly land based and included agronomic measures, land management and ecosystem restoration. Furthermore, important gender differences in adaptation could be traced back to typical gender roles. Results highlight the risk of broadcast adaptation programs, such as the government-propagated combination of mineral fertilizers and early maturing crop varieties. Most importantly, they point to the need to consider climate variability, site- and gender-specific perceptions and priorities.

Peculiarities of the psychological status of first-year students in terms of university education

Peculiarities There was performed the study of the mental status of first-year students enrolled in the Tuvan state University. There were detected levels of reactive and personal anxiety, adaptive capacity, the level of social and psychological adaptation and aggression. Adaptation potential in students is within limits of the satisfactory one, there was no detected person with poor adaptive capacity and failure of adaptation, that indicates to the genetically fixed ability of the students’ body to adapt to living conditions. In a state of psychological adjustment there was revealed the more higher level of anxiety in Tuvan students, which is caused by the poor living conditions. More satisfactory condition is typical for the social and psychological adaptation, since in all students values of test scales are within normal limits.There were shown gender differences in adaptation and psychological status of students. Boys have more lower indices of indirect and verbal aggression, anger, resentment, suspicion, guilt. Girls are characterized by higher hostility, at that it even exceeds standard values. In the group of students with a high personal anxiety no differences in adaptive capacities were found, and in students with moderate personal anxiety there were significantly more boys with stress adaptation than girls. Analysis of the socio-psychological adaptation of first-year students shows that in all students values of the test scales are normal, but in young men, indices are higher that indicates to a more successful socialization in the environment of the university. Correlation analysis of indices of aggressiveness and socio-psychological adaptation revealed weak negative relationships between index of aggressiveness with maladaptiveness, non-acceptance of others, emotional comfort in boys. In girls “aggressiveness” positively correlates with the such indices as acceptance of others and adaptation. Factor analysis in young men revealed the first factor, labeled as maladjustment because it included indirect aggression, maladaptiveness, self-rejection, emotional discomfort and external control. In girls first factor combines indices: adaptability, self-acceptance, adaptation (integral), self-acceptance, emotional comfort, the desire to dominate and this factor was labeled as adaptation.

Reference intervals for six salivary cortisol measures based on the Croatian Late Adolescence Stress Study (CLASS).

IntroductionThe aim of this nested study is to provide the reference intervals for already published measurements of salivary cortisol from the Croatian Adolescence Stress Study (CLASS).Material and methodsA total of 969 individuals (372 males and 597 females) were included in the reference sample (age range: 18-21 years). Salivary cortisol concentrations were determined by the enzyme immunoassay (LUCIO-Medical ELISA Salivary Cortisol Kit, Nal von Minden, Germany) in the Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Split. Nonparametric statistics were used for calculating the reference intervals (RIs) and 90% confidence intervals (90% CIs).ResultsThe lower limits of RIs determined by the direct method were higher in females (> 10%) than in males for the cortisol concentrations at awakening (SCC0), 30 to 45 after awakening (SCC30-45) and at bedtime (SCCbedtime). The upper limits of RIs for the SCCbedtime were higher (> 10%) in males than in females. Females also had higher upper limits of RIs for the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and the diurnal cortisol slope (DCS) and higher lower limits of RIs for the CAR and the area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCG). The lower limits of RIs for the DCS were higher in males than in females.ConclusionsObtained reference values open the arena for introducing salivary bioscience in Croatian clinical laboratory practice and provide important data for better understanding of gender differences in adaptation to stress during late adolescence.

Multilevel approach to gender differences in adaptation in father-mother dyads parenting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

BackgroundMost studies of gender differences in the ASD literature present methodological limitations regarding the treatment of dyadic data. This work explored gender differences in the psychological adaptation of a sample of Spanish fathers and mothers of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using a multilevel modeling approach (MLM) that accounts for nested data. MethodQuestionnaires including different adaptation measures were completed by 120 father-mother dyads raising individuals with ASD. We designed a two-level model (parents nested in dyads) with three predictor variables at level 1 (parent gender, parent age, and perception of child’s behavior problems) and four predictor variables at level 2 (child age, family income, ASD severity, and time since diagnosis) to examine the influence of these variables on negative and positive psychological outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression, and psychological well-being). ResultsMothers experienced higher levels of stress and anxiety than fathers, even after controlling for interdependence and sociodemographic factors. ASD severity was a significant predictor of both progenitors’ stress and well-being, and family income was also related to psychological well-being, although no gender differences were observed in the way these variables are related to parental outcomes. ConclusionsProfessionals should offer parents support to adjust expectations according to their child’s ASD severity given its relationship to parental stress and well-being. Considering that mothers experience higher levels of stress and anxiety than fathers, clinicians should encourage maternal protective factors. Finally, governments should consider new policies aiming to support ASD families’ treatment expenses.

The Bluetooth Enigma: Practicalities Impair Potential

ABSTRACT This article analyzes young people9s attitudes toward Bluetooth Proximity Marketing, their intention to use it, and the barriers that deter consumers from using this technology. Awareness and knowledge of this technology are very high; key barriers to use appear to be that Bluetooth uses up battery power too quickly and that consumers distrust the technology owing to privacy concerns. Positive attitude, which includes peer influence and fun/excitement, also is an important factor governing the future intention to use the technology. Significant gender differences in adaptation and intention also were discovered. Managerial implications and suggestions for further research are discussed at the end of this study.

Age and Gender Differences in Adaptation and Subjective Well-being of Older Adults Residing in Monastic Religious Communities

The purpose of this study was to explore age and gender differences in the adaptation and well-being of older adults residing in Catholic monasteries. Participants included 235 members, age 64 and older, from the Order of St. Benedict. 2 (Age) × 2 (Gender) analyses of variance were computed to determine significant differences. Young-old persons reported greater friendship, coping behaviors, and personal growth, however, old-old individuals reported greater engagement in religious coping and greater depression. In addition, women reported greater coping behaviors, life satisfaction, and personal growth, but men reported greater depression. The results have implications on how pastoral care providers and counselors can improve quality of life among older adults living in contemplative religious settings.

Comparison of adjustment, activity, and tangible social support in men and women patients and their spouses during the six months post-myocardial infarction

A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate gender differences in adaptation and activity among survivors of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and their spouses during the six months post-hospital discharge. Male and female married survivors of MI, matched on age, disease severity, and socioeconomic status, and their spouses responded to measures about functional impairment, psychological distress, and level of involvement in household and other activities prior to and 4, 10, 16, and 22 weeks after the MI. Both patients and spouses were distressed by the MI, but the distress lasted longer for spouses. Male spouses increased traditional domestic activities (e.g. cooking, laundry) in the weeks shortly after their wives' heart attack, and patient wives decreased domestic activities compared to prior to the MI. However, wives still did as much as their husbands. Women recovering from MI may carry a heavier burden of household responsibilities and activities than their male counterparts. This burden, if premature, may pose a threat for reinfarction during the early stages of rehabilitation.

Decision and Adaptation

Review of the literature shows that while women's adaptation to retirement has been closely studied, little is known of the female retirement decision. No gender differences in adaptation have been demonstrated. Hampered by poor data sets and design, and responsive to the prejudicial assumption that women had low work commitment, early adaptation studies found that women workers adjusted poorly to retirement, often more poorly than men. However, these results have not been confirmed. Recent research shows that most women adjust well, and no consistent gender differences have been found. Gender differences are much more likely to be observed in the decision to retire. Analysis of the timing of retirement among married couples indicates that the characteristics of the spouse influence individual retirement decisions. The effects of these characteristics differ in strength and direction, depending on gender. Future research on female retirement should focus on decision making in the marital unit.