Gender Differences In Patterns Research Articles

Gender Differences in Patterns of School Victimization and Problem Behaviors During Middle School and Their Relation to High School Graduation

Victimization and problem behaviors during middle school detrimentally influence student learning. However, less is known about how they may cooccur and collectively affect high school graduation and whether the interrelationships vary by gender. Using data from a nationally representative cohort of seventh-grade students from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1997; N = 1,009), latent class analyses identified three groups among boys and two among girls. Results indicated that 50% of boys in the high-risk group (high victimization and problem behaviors) did not graduate from high school on time. Furthermore, boys in the moderate-risk group (high victimization, low problem behaviors) graduated from high school on time at a rate comparable with the low-risk boys. Two groups emerged for girls (i.e., low vs. high risk) in which each corresponds to graduation in an expected direction. Findings from this study underscore the importance of gender differences in intervention efforts, especially during middle school.

Harsh parenting and academic achievement in Chinese adolescents: Potential mediating roles of effortful control and classroom engagement

This study examined (a) the potential mediating roles of effortful control and classroom engagement in the association between harsh parenting and adolescent academic achievement, and (b) the potential moderating role of gender. Sixth through eighth graders in rural China (n=815, mean age=12.55years) reported on harsh parenting, effortful control, and classroom engagement. Parents also reported on each other's harsh parenting. Academic achievement was assessed by students' test scores and teacher-rated academic performance. Results of structural equation modeling revealed gender differences in patterns of association among the model variables. Harsh parenting was negatively and directly associated with academic achievement for both boys and girls. It was also negatively and indirectly associated with academic achievement via effortful control and classroom engagement sequentially, forming a common indirect “path” for boys and girls. The indirect negative effect of harsh parenting on boys' academic achievement was mainly realized through the mediator of effortful control, whereas this same indirect effect for girls was mainly realized through the mediator of classroom engagement. Jointly, effortful control and classroom engagement precipitates more indirect effects for boys than for girls in the association between harsh parenting and academic achievement. The discussion analyzes the potential “paths” from harsh parenting to adolescent academic achievement, as well as gender differences in these “paths.” The current study has implications for teachers and parents eager to improve students' classroom engagement and academic achievement.

Gender Differences in Patterns and Trends in U.S. Homicide, 1976–2015

Abstract In the research literature on homicide, gender has generally received less attention than other demographic characteristics, specifically the age and race of victims and offenders. To some...

Light and sporadic physical activity overlooked by current guidelines makes older women more active than older men

BackgroundMen are generally believed to be more physically active than women when evaluated using current physical activity (PA) guidelines, which count only moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in bouts lasting at least 10 min. However, it remains unclear men are truly more physically active provided that all-intensity PA are evaluated. This population based cross-sectional study aimed to examine gender differences in patterns of objectively-assessed PA in older adults.MethodsOne thousand two hundred ten community-dwelling Japanese older adults who were originally randomly selected from residential registry of three municipalities were asked to respond a questionnaire and wear an accelerometer (HJA-350IT, Omron Healthcare). The prevalence of achieving current PA guidelines, ≥150 min/week MVPA in bouts lasting at least 10 min, was calculated. Gender differences in volume of each-intensity activity (METs-hour) were assessed by analysis of covariance after adjustment for age and wear time.ResultsData from 450 (255 men, mean 74 years) participants who had valid accelerometer data were analyzed. Women were less likely to meet the guidelines (men: 31.0, women: 21.5%; p < 0.05). However, women accumulated more light-intensity PA (LPA) and short-bout (1–9 min) MVPA, and thus established higher total volume of PA (men: 22.0 METs-hour/day, women: 23.9 METs-hour/day) (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOlder women were less active when evaluated against current PA guidelines, but more active by total PA. Considering accumulated evidence on health benefits of LPA and short-bout MVPA, our findings highlight the potential for the limitation of assessing PA using current PA guidelines.

Gender, Life Events, and Depression: An Exploratory Study.

Context:Literature is inconsistent about the role of gender in mediating the relationship between life events and depression.Aim:Our objective was to explore gender differences in patterns and frequencies of stressful life events before onset of a depressive episode.Setting and Design:Cross-sectional study at a tertiary care center.Subjects and Methods:One hundred patients fulfilling Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition criteria for current major depression (50 males and 50 females) were recruited for the study. Structured instruments were used to assess psychiatric comorbidity, episode severity, and stressful life events. We compared the number and frequency of stressful life events between genders and their relationship with demographic and clinical variables.Statistical Analysis Used:Mann–Whitney U-test and Chi-square test.Results:Women with depression were older, more likely to be married (P < 0.01), had lower rates of comorbid panic disorder (P < 0.01) and nicotine dependence (P = 0.016) compared to men. Total stress scores and median number of stressful events in the year before onset of depression were significantly lower in women (P < 0.01). Getting married, job or property-related stressors, and breakup of friendship were more commonly reported stressors among males while more females reported dowry-related issues before symptom onset. In stratified analysis, these gender differences continued to hold good only in those with comorbid dysthymia.Conclusion:There appears to be a sex-specific effect of certain life events on depression. Comorbid dysthymia may play an important role in mediating this differential stress sensitivity across genders.

Patterns of Objectively-assessed Sedentary Behavior in Community-dwelling Japanese Older Adults

Accumulated evidence suggests greater time spent in sitting is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, limited data on how sedentary behavior (SB) is patterned in older adults. PURPOSE: To examine patterns of objectively-assessed SB classified by duration of bout in community-dwelling Japanese older men and women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 450 Japanese older adults (255 men, 70-79 years) who were randomly selected from resident registries and provided valid data (wearing at least four days of ≥10 hours/day) of accelerometer (HJA-350IT, Omron Healthcare, Japan). Descriptive analyses of the duration (min/day) and number of bouts (times/day) of SB (≤1.5 METs) were conducted, stratified by gender. Total SB time was further divided into five types according to the duration of SB: 1-9 min, 10-19 min, 20-29 min, 30-59 min, and ≥60 min. Gender differences in patterns of SB were assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) after adjusting for age and wear time. RESULTS: The adjusted mean SB time (min/day) in men and women was 561.8 and 469.3, respectively (P<0.001), and number of SB bouts (times/day) was 57.0 in men and 61.3 in women (P<0.001). The number of SB bouts of less than 10 min was 42.9 in men and 49.4 in women (P<0.001). On the other hand, the number of SB bouts of lasting 20-29 min was 2.9 and 2.3 in women, that of 30-59 min was 3.5 in men and 2.5 in women, and that of at least 60 min was 1.6 in men and 1.1 in women (all P<0.001). Time accumulated by short-bout (1-9 min) SB in women was significantly longer than men (men:114.7, women:128.3), whereas time accumulated by long-bout SB in women was significantly shorter than men (20-29 min SB; men:70.4, women:55.6, 30-59 min SB; men:143.4, women:103.1, and ≥60 min SB; men:148.4, women:100.2). CONCLUSIONS: Older women were less likely to be prolonged sedentary with more frequent interruption compared to older men. Effect of patterns of SB on health outcomes may differ by gender.

From Athletes to Astrophysicists: Gender Differences in Patterns and Predictors of Career Aspirations in Pre-Adolescence

From Athletes to Astrophysicists: Gender Differences in Patterns and Predictors of Career Aspirations in Pre-Adolescence

Gender differences in patterns of prescription opioid use and binge drinking among middle aged Floridians

Gender differences in patterns of prescription opioid use and binge drinking among middle aged Floridians

Gender Differences in Patterns of Substance Use and Delinquency: A Latent Transition Analysis

This study explores gender-specific patterns and transitions of adolescent substance use and delinquency in a sample of youths at ages 12, 15, and 18 (N = 803). Latent transition analysis identified “Primary Delinquent,” “Delinquency and Substance Use,” and “Low Risk” classes. Females were less likely to be in the “Primary Delinquent” class at age 12 than males. From 15 to 18, females were approximately equally likely to transition from “Primary Delinquent” to both other classes, whereas males were more likely to transition from “Primary Delinquent” to “Delinquency and Substance Use.” These gender differences in behavior can inform services.

Abstract # 1709 Higher depressive symptoms relate to different inflammatory response patterns (ex vivo) among men and women

Increasing evidence suggests that depression is linked with immune dysregulation. In this study, we examined the links between depressive symptoms and both basal and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated (ex vivo) levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in blood. Subjects were recruited from the Bronx NY and were socio-economically and racially diverse (ages 25–65). Exclusion criteria included inflammation-related illness and use of immunosuppressive drugs, resulting in 148 participants (97 women). On average the sample reported mild depressive symptoms (assessed using the PROMIS depression short-form scale). Regression analyses controlled for age, BMI, income, education, race/ethnicity, use of anti-inflammatory agents and antidepressants. No relationships between basal inflammatory levels and depressive symptoms were observed. However, in stimulated blood, a significant interaction of depressive symptoms by gender was observed, such that in women higher depressive scores were associated with lower production of TNF-alpha (p .80). Overall, higher depressive symptoms related to lower, possibly blunted, responses to endotoxin challenge in women, and higher, possibly exaggerated, responses in men. These findings provide evidence for gender differences in patterns of inflammatory dysregulation in individuals with greater depressive symptoms. Studying stimulated inflammatory biomarkers in gender stratified groups may clarify the links between inflammation and depression.

Gender-Specificity of Initial and Controlled Visual Attention to Sexual Stimuli in Androphilic Women and Gynephilic Men.

Research across groups and methods consistently finds a gender difference in patterns of specificity of genital response; however, empirically supported mechanisms to explain this difference are lacking. The information-processing model of sexual arousal posits that automatic and controlled cognitive processes are requisite for the generation of sexual responses. Androphilic women’s gender-nonspecific response patterns may be the result of sexually-relevant cues that are common to both preferred and nonpreferred genders capturing attention and initiating an automatic sexual response, whereas men’s attentional system may be biased towards the detection and response to sexually-preferred cues only. In the present study, we used eye tracking to assess visual attention to sexually-preferred and nonpreferred cues in a sample of androphilic women and gynephilic men. Results support predictions from the information-processing model regarding gendered processing of sexual stimuli in men and women. Men’s initial attention patterns were gender-specific, whereas women’s were nonspecific. In contrast, both men and women exhibited gender-specific patterns of controlled attention, although this effect was stronger among men. Finally, measures of attention and self-reported attraction were positively related in both men and women. These findings are discussed in the context of the information-processing model and evolutionary mechanisms that may have evolved to promote gendered attentional systems.

From Athletes to Astrophysicists: Gender Differences in Patterns and Predictors of Career Aspirations in Pre-Adolescence.

This paper adds to research on girls’ growing educational advantage by examining gender differences in career paths. Using baseline data from an intervention study (TRY-IT!) targeting 265 sixth-graders in Title I schools, our research traces adolescent career aspirations by gender, race and class. Additionally, we investigate whether girls and boys exhibit differential sensitivity to environmental risk and protective factors that shape career and educational aspirations. We find that the career choices of boys vary more widely by social context, including socioeconomic status, race, and academic resources. Specifically, among youth with fewer social and academic advantages, girls aspire to more practical careers and careers which require higher levels of educational attainment relative to boys. The findings reveal how sources of inequality such as race and class shape gendered aspirations and complicate gender inequality. We reason that boys’ choices are more volatile and socially contingent because of the emphasis on high-status careers as a signifier of masculinity.

Gender differences in patterns of authorship do not affect peer review outcomes at an ecology journal

Summary There is a widespread perception in the academic community that peer review is subject to many biases and can be influenced by the identity and biographic features (such as gender) of manuscript authors. We examined how patterns of authorship differ between men and women, and whether author gender influences editorial and peer review outcomes and/or the peer review process for papers submitted to the journal Functional Ecology between 2010 and 2014. Women represented approximately a third of all authors on papers submitted to Functional Ecology. Relative to overall frequency of authorship, women were underrepresented as solo authors (26% were women). On multi‐authored papers, women were also underrepresented as last/senior authors (25% were women) but overrepresented as first authors (43% were women). Women first authors were less likely than men first authors to serve as corresponding and submitting author of their papers; this difference was not influenced by the gender of the last author. Women were more likely to be authors on papers if the last author was female. Papers with female authors (i) were equally likely to be sent for peer review, (ii) obtained equivalent peer review scores and (iii) were equally likely to be accepted for publication, compared to papers with male authors. There was no evidence that male editors or male reviewers treated papers authored by women differently than did female editors and reviewers, and no evidence that more senior editors reached different decisions than younger editors after review, or cumulative through the entire process, for papers authored by men vs. women. Papers authored by women were more likely to be reviewed by women. This is primarily because women were more likely to be invited to review if the authors on a paper were female than if the authors were male. Patterns of authorship, and the role undertaken as author (e.g., submitting and serving as corresponding author), differ notably between men and women for papers submitted to Functional Ecology. However, consistent with a growing body of literature indicating that peer review underlying the scholarly publishing process is largely gender‐neutral, outcomes of editorial and peer review at Functional Ecology were not influenced by author gender.

Obese Adolescents Report Better Health-Related Quality of Life than Obese Young Adults

Impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is described as a major concern for severely obese adolescents seeking intentional weight loss. We aimed to compare HRQOL in obese adolescents seeking weight loss with body mass index (BMI)-matched younger adults and community norms. Eighty-one adolescents (14-18.8 years) with BMI 30-60 kg/m(2) completed the Short Form (SF)-36 prior to commencing a weight loss program. Each adolescent was matched for BMI and gender with two obese adults seeking weight loss, 10 and 20 years older, respectively. The groups were compared across all eight scale scores and mental and physical component summary scores (MCS and PCS). Summary scores were also compared to community norms. The adolescents had higher scores than those in their 20s for all SF-36 scales and summary scores, indicating better HRQOL. Compared with community norms, obese adolescents had lower PCS and comparable MCS scores. Both groups of adults had lower PCS scores, but MCS was lower in those in their 20s compared with both adolescents and those in their 30s. There were no gender differences in patterns of responses across the three age groups. Obese adolescents seeking intentional weight loss have significant impairment in physical aspects of HRQOL, but self-reported mental HRQOL appears to be similar to community controls. In contrast, obese participants in their 20s report clinically significant impairment in mental HRQOL. When considering adolescents for bariatric surgery, careful assessment is needed. We need a greater understanding of the emotional distress reported by those in their 20s.

Severity of khat dependence among adult khat chewers: The moderating influence of gender and age

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The escalating use of khat (Catha edulis) in East Africa and Arabia is a major concern for public health. Yet little is known about the impact of khat on behavior. There has been no study in the region to assess the extent to which dependence syndrome is associated with khat use in this population. Aim of the study: To examine psychometric properties of the Severity of Dependence Scale-Khat (SDS-khat), gender differences in patterns of khat use and dependence, and the extent to which age moderated the link between gender and khat dependence. Materials and methods: Two-hundred and seventy khat chewers recruited in two Yemeni cities completed face-to-face interviews asking about demographics and patterns of khat use. Validity of SDS-khat was examined by the principle component analysis and reliability of the scale was tested by Cronbach׳s alpha. A series of chi-square tests and analysis of variances (ANOVAs) were conducted to examine gender differences in khat use variables. Results: The results indicated that the mean age of khat chewers was 30.52 years (95% CI: 29.34, 31.70) and 52% of them were males. The SDS-khat was found to have two factors with moderate reliability. This pattern was consistent when the analysis was conducted in the entire sample and in each gender. Male khat chewers reported more symptoms related to khat dependence than female chewers. A significant gender by age interaction in SDS-khat levels (p=0.013) revealed a positive association between age and khat dependence in women only. Conclusion: These results provide initial support for the use of SDS-khat in the assessment of khat dependence in Yemen. Gender differences in khat use patterns and dependence observed in this study call the need for more studies carefully examining the role of gender in khat research.

Exploring gender differences in constellations of problem behaviors and associated health-related factors during adolescence

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), this study expands on previous research on adolescent problem behavior by (1) examining gender differences in patterns or ‘subgroups’ of adolescents based on self-reported problem behaviors and (2) identifying differences in health-related factors including service utilization, physical and mental health, and violent victimization across the identified gender-specific subgroups. The data used in this study were taken from Wave 2 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) data and includes respondents under the age of 18 (n = 10,360). Based on 16 problem behavior items measuring delinquency, substance use, risky sexual practices, and status offending, latent class analyses identified a 4-class model for the male subsample and a 3-class model for the female subsample. Important differences in health-related factors were observed across the latent classes. However, these differences were fairly consistent for boys and girls. Implications for prevention and intervention strategies, specifically focusing on the intersection of juvenile justice and public health services, are discussed.

Is Symptom Burden Associated with Treatment Status and Disease Stage among Adult HIV Outpatients in East Africa?

Symptom distress is poorly described in persons living with HIV, with limited attention paid to physical and psychological symptom prevalence to inform optimal clinical care. The study objective was to measure seven-day-period prevalence of symptoms among HIV-infected adult outpatients and determine if self-reported symptom burden is associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), CD4 T-cell count, and clinical disease stage. Adult patients were consecutively recruited from HIV outpatient clinics at two referral and teaching hospitals in Uganda. Of 343 patients approached, 302 (88%) participated. Patients described symptoms during the previous week using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Short Form, and level of physical functionality using the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) tool on the interview day. A high symptom burden was reported, with the most prevalent being worry (94%), feeling sad (92%), hunger (82%), feeling nervous (75%), and feeling drowsy/tired (62%). Patients with KPS scores of <70 reported more symptoms (23 versus 10; F=289.68, P<0.001) and higher symptom distress (P<0.04 for all analyses). Neither ART nor CD4 T-cell count were associated with symptom burden. WHO clinical stage 4 was associated with psychological symptom burden (OR 2.94, P=0.011, CI 1.281-6.735). Men were more likely to experience higher symptom burden. In the ART era, ambulatory HIV/AIDS patients continue to experience a high physical and psychological symptom burden. For those with advanced disease, psychological symptoms are particularly important. It is important to be observant of gender differences in patterns of symptom distress in HIV outpatient care settings. The high prevalence of hunger warrants attention as it may compromise ART initiation and adherence to ART.

Pornography consumption and non-marital sexual behaviour in a sample of young Indonesian university students

Using a sample of Indonesian university students and a cross sectional design, this study investigated prevalence rates and patterns of pornography consumption in Indonesia, a religious, sexually conservative, Muslim-majority nation with strict anti-pornography laws. Further, the association between pornography consumption and common non-marital sexual behaviours was explored. The study found that in this sample, pornography is as widely and readily consumed as in comparable international studies predominantly utilising Western background samples from more sexually liberal and less religious countries with very few laws on pornography. Gender differences in patterns of pornography consumption were pronounced and comparable with findings in international counterpart studies. For men only, pornography consumption was found to significantly predict common sexual behaviours in non-marital relations. The study is the first to provide insights into prevalence rates and patterns of pornography consumption and its association with common non-marital sexual behaviours in a sexually conservative, Muslim-majority nation with strict anti-pornography laws.

Gender Differences in Patterns of Experienced Sexual Coercion and Associated Vulnerability Factors Among Young People in The Netherlands

The development of effective policies and programs to prevent sexual coercion among young people requires thorough understanding of the diversity of coercive sexual experiences, patterns in such types of experiences, and similarities and differences between subgroups, especially by gender, in patterns of coercive sexual experiences and associations with potential vulnerability factors. The present online self-report study assessed a wide range of coercive sexual experiences and potential vulnerability factors among a sociodemographically diverse sample of 1,319 young people (16-25 years old) in The Netherlands. Findings confirm that sexual coercion comprises a diversity of experiences, with rates differing substantially across types of coercion. Latent class analysis revealed distinct patterns of coercive sexual experiences for young women and young men. Among young men, three patterns of experiences were found: no coercive sexual experiences, experience with verbal pressure, and experience with verbal pressure as well as coercion related to alcohol intoxication. Among young women, four patterns of coercive experiences were identified. In addition to the three patterns observed among young men, a fourth pattern encompassed experiences with verbal pressure as well as the use of force or violence. Higher numbers of sexual partners, lower levels of sexual refusal skills, and higher levels of token resistance were consistently associated with increased vulnerability. Findings illustrate the importance of communication skills and suggest that sexual communication training should be an integral part of sexuality education.

Gender differences in patterns of second premolar agenesis observed in 4,756 individuals

To elucidate intra- and inter-maxillary patterns of second premolar agenesis in the mandible and maxilla-including unilateral and/or bilateral occurrence and gender differences. The study comprised panoramic radiographs from 4,756 children with and without orthodontic treatment needs. All radiographs were screened twice. 251 individuals had agenesis of one or more mandibular and/or maxillary second premolars; 37 had agenesis of both mandibular and maxillary second premolars. Gender differences were analysed using χ² and Fisher's exact test. 193 individuals had agenesis of one or both mandibular second premolars, while 95 had agenesis of one or both maxillary second premolars. In females, agenesis of left and right second premolars was significantly associated in both the mandible and in maxilla (p<0.0001). In males, this association was only significant in the maxilla (p<0.0001). Bilateral agenesis occurred almost twice as frequently in females. Unilateral agenesis in the maxilla occurred almost twice as frequently in females. The probability of finding second premolar agenesis in the maxilla was significantly greater in females than in males (p=0.03). A significant association was seen between agenesis of tooth 25 and 35 in females and males combined (p=0.03) and in males alone (p=0.01). No significance was found between agenesis of tooth 15 and 45 in either females or males. The study confirms some previous findings of second premolar agenesis and presents new observations on gender differences, especially concerning associations in agenesis occurrence within and between the jaws.