Gender-sensitive Research Research Articles

Is it the Past or the Present? Employment Quality, Unemployment History, Psychological Distress and Mental Wellbeing in the United Kingdom.

Low employment quality and precarious employment have been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, yet the extent to which this association may be explained by the experience of unemployment "scarring" has not yet been explored. From a life course perspective, understanding this possible confounding is necessary. Drawing on the United Kingdom's Understanding Society dataset and using latent class analysis, we derived a typology of employment quality across six dimensions and assessed the links between individuals' employment quality, unemployment history, and mental well-being and psychological distress. Our results show that precarious types of employment as well as a higher quality "protected part-time" were linked to low mental well-being, though important gender differences were noted. Accounting for past unemployment did not fully explain these associations. No such adverse associations were observed for increased psychological distress. Our results help further the understanding of employment quality as a social determinant of health and highlight the need for both life course and gender-sensitive research in this area.

Gender in Post-Pandemic Research: The Potentials of Grounded Theory to Explicitly Guide Gender-Sensitive Inquiry on Discrimination and Violence.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a re-exacerbation of gender inequalities and violence against women was reported. For adequately responding to the causes of this situation and its aftermath, a detailed understanding of the gendered impacts of the pandemic and of subsequent developments is necessary. This aim may be supported by particularly using gender-sensitive modes of inquiry. Against this backdrop, we explore the methodological potential of grounded theory (GT) to explicitly guide gender-sensitive research. Given its methodological variations, we argue that an adequate handling of gender in GT can only be determined in relation to a researcher's positioning within the GT landscape. Thus, to assist readers in translating their gender sensitivity into GT practices, this article outlines various interpretations of GT elements, discussing their relation to gender. Furthermore, strategies addressing gender-related challenges are presented and underlined by, among others, studies on discrimination and violence.

Social impacts of inclusive education: On the requirement for an emphasis on girls with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) in research on inclusion

While there is an extensive and substantial body of epidemiological research on gender-specific differences regarding the prevalence, persistence, and comorbidity of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) in childhood and adolescence, empirical research on inclusive education largely lacks a differentiated and gender-sensitive research approach. However, initial empirical findings indicate that girls with internalizing behavior problems are to be considered a particularly vulnerable group in school regarding their social integration, their self-concept, their well-being in school and their perception and interpretation of social interaction processes. Can girls with internalizing behavior problems thus be referred to as the 'forgotten gender' of empirical research on inclusive education? The following article aims to address the existing tension between gender-specific epidemiological data, school-related practices, and empirical research approaches. In this context, we first (I) summarize the available empirical findings, (II) outline the methodological foundations of an ongoing research project, and (III) discuss the social implications of a predominantly one-sided empirical approach and outline a call to action for practice and research.

A Gender Sensitive Research Guideline for Academia and Development

This paper focuses on gender based research in different development sectors of homogenous and divers society in Nepal. In social science, the gender-sensitive research gives equal importance to both the similarities and differences in the experiences and viewpoints of men and women. As a result, women's experiences and contributions have been overlooked in traditional research, leading to the omission of crucial aspects of a subject, underestimation of their significance, and the potential for misunderstandings. In recent times, however, there has been a growing recognition of gender as a significant variable in research. This article based on the objective to explain and highlight the existing variation of gender-sensitive research among development and environment sector. It analyses the provisions regarding research papers, articles, gender related books, Newspaper and seminar papers in academia. This paper widely covers concept, definition, theories, practice, situation, laws, policies and program in all gender sensitive research in all environmental and development levels.

Gender constructions in Austrian RE textbooks – a comparative linguistic textbook analysis

ABSTRACT The contribution gives insights into a comparative linguistic textbook analysis of two Austrian Catholic Religious Education (RE) textbooks for colleges for higher vocational schools (‘BHS’) and vocational schools for apprentices (‘VocEd’). Gender constructions are still a desideratum in RE textbook research in Austria. Previous gender-oriented analyses mostly used qualitative content analysis or mainly questionnaires. This paper followed the approach of linguistic textbook analysis addressing gender constructions on a linguistic level by comparing both textbooks, asking which and how two selected chapters of Austrian RE textbooks in use construct gender on a linguistic level. A discussion of the main results, considering previous gender sensitive RE research, aimed to develop criteria for prospects of action with teaching materials in the current context of plurality of genders and sexualities in a democratic society.

Differences across the lifespan between females and males in the top 20 causes of disease burden globally: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Sex and gender shape health. There is a growing body of evidence focused on comprehensively and systematically examining the magnitude, persistence, and nature of differences in health between females and males. Here, we aimed to quantify differences in the leading causes of disease burden between females and males across ages and geographies. We used the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to compare disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) rates for females and males for the 20 leading causes of disease burden for individuals older than 10 years at the global level and across seven world regions, between 1990 and 2021. We present absolute and relative differences in the cause-specific DALY rates between females and males. Globally, females had a higher burden of morbidity-driven conditions with the largest differences in DALYs for low back pain (with 478·5 [95% uncertainty interval 346·3-632·8] more DALYs per 100 000 individuals among females than males), depressive disorders (348·3 [241·3-471·0]), and headache disorders (332·9 [48·3-731·9]), whereas males had higher DALY rates for mortality-driven conditions with the largest differences in DALYs for COVID-19 (with 1767·8 [1581·1-1943·5] more DALYs per 100 000 among males than females), road injuries (1012·2 [934·1-1092·9]), and ischaemic heart disease (1611·8 [1405·0-1856·3]). The differences between sexes became larger over age and remained consistent over time for all conditions except HIV/AIDS. The largest difference in HIV/AIDS was observed among those aged 25-49 years in sub-Saharan Africa with 1724·8 (918·8-2613·7) more DALYs per 100 000 among females than males. The notable health differences between females and males point to an urgent need for policies to be based on sex-specific and age-specific data. It is also important to continue promoting gender-sensitive research, and ultimately, implement interventions that not only reduce the burden of disease but also achieve greater health equity. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gender Inequality in Out-of-pocket Expenditure on Healthcare Among Persons with Disabilities in India

Background People with disabilities (PWDs) often face higher risk of financial burden towards healthcare. Higher out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) is a barrier towards accessing medical services, resulting in healthcare inequities between men and women. There is a lack of studies on gender disparities in healthcare burden among PWD in India. The present study examines gender inequality towards healthcare expenditure among PWDs in India. Methods Unit level data from the Persons with Disabilities in India Survey under the National Sample Survey, 76th round that covered 118,152 households involving 576,569 individuals of whom 106,894 had at least one disability was used. We performed secondary analysis using descriptive statistics, bivariate estimates, Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition and multilevel log-linear regression to meet the objective of the study. Results OOPE as a percent of monthly per capita expenditure was higher among males across all states of India except in Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep and Mizoram. This varied from 0.6% in Jammu and Kashmir to 20% in Nagaland. Multilevel analysis confirms that OOPE was significantly lesser among females ( β = –0.070, 95% confidence interval = – 0.129 to 0.01) compared to males after controlling demographic and disability-related predictors. PWDs reported higher healthcare burden as a percent of total household expenditure in India, and relatively less amount was spent on female healthcare compared to male healthcare. Conclusion A substantial gender inequality for healthcare expenditure is found among PWDs in India. This makes for an urgent call to health researchers and policymakers towards gender-sensitive research, policy formulation and program implementation for PWDs in India.

Female Patients Show a Larger Reduction in Suicidal Ideation in Inpatient Addiction Treatment Than Male Patients: Results of a Single-Center Observational Study.

Substance use disorders (SUD) are prevalent disorders worldwide. Among other associated health problems, patients with SUD are at an increased risk of dying of suicide, with females displaying an even higher risk than males. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a gender-sensitive evaluation of changes in suicidal ideation during multimodal inpatient treatment at a hospital facility specialized in treating addiction. A total of 694 patients (68.2% male) completed routine assessment including suicidal ideation, abstinence confidence, impulsivity, emotion regulation, self-efficacy and autonomy and joy both before (T1) and at the end (T2) of treatment. Mean changes were evaluated with repeated measures MANOVAs. Before treatment, a total of n=127 (18.3%) of the respondents reported suicidal ideation, which was reduced to n=72 (10.4%) by the end of treatment. Among female patients, the change in reported suicidal ideation compared from T1 to T2 (21.7% vs 7.7%) was significantly higher than among male patients (T1: 16.7%%, T2: 11.6%; p=0.040). Generally, females reported worse symptoms scores and slightly higher numbers of suicidal thoughts at baseline (effect sizes ranging from η²=.008 - 0.044). While both genders significantly profited from the treatment, female patients generally showed larger improvements than male. Our study underscores the beneficial effect of addiction-specialized inpatient treatment on suicidal ideation. Additionally, we found a substantial gender effect: while female patients generally were more distressed before treatment, they also reported higher symptom reduction during the treatment. This result highlights the need to perform more gender-sensitive research and develop more gender-sensitive treatment programs.

University Research Management: Trends in International Studies

This study seeks to reveal trends in higher education research management as a response to the importance of higher education's contribution to bringing novelty to science through solid research management. The research method of systematic literature review through the PRISMA guideline approach was carried out to see the trends of various studies related to higher education research management. The results of the study show that the trend of higher education research management has begun to move from institutional grant management to project-based research management and expertise. The research data base system has entered the realm of substance that can be widely accessed as a form of contribution to science as well as efforts to downstream research results. Gender-sensitive research management is also a trend found in this study.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Drug Addiction Treatment: a Systematic Mapping Review

Abstract“Intervention support and treatment” programs are most likely to have been designed for the substances consumed by men, and to cater for men’s needs, with little regard to the specific needs of women. Gender-based violence (GBV) has become a key area for addressing the treatment of drug addiction from a gender perspective. In this mapping review covering 32 articles, we examine the strategies used to address gender-based violence in drug addiction treatments that include women. The main topics of analysis were as follows: characteristics of drug addiction treatment, conceptualization of GBV, measurement and approach of GBV in treatment for drug addiction, and effects on health associated with GBV and drug addiction. Only 18.75% of the studies on GBV addressed the area of psycho-social care in the treatment of drug addiction. To avoid inequalities in the healthcare offered, gender-sensitive research and interventions are required which include GBV in the treatment of drug addiction.

Gender Inequalities in Publications about COVID-19 in Spain: Authorship and Sex-Disaggregated Data.

Gender inequalities in biomedical literature have been widely reported in authorship as well as the scarcity of results that are stratified by sex in the studies. We conducted a bibliometric review of articles on COVID-19 published in the main Spanish medical journals between April 2020 and May 2021. The purpose of this study was to analyse differences in authorship order and composition by sex and their evolution over time, as well as the frequency of sex-disaggregated empirical results and its relationship with the author sex in articles on COVID-19 in the main Spanish biomedical journals. We identified 914 articles and 4921 authors, 57.5% men and 42.5% women. Women accounted for 36.7% of first authors and for 33.7% of last authors. Monthly variation in authorship over the course of the pandemic indicates that women were always less likely to publish as first authors. Only 1.0% of the articles broke down empirical results by sex. Disaggregation of results by sex was significantly more frequent when women were first authors and when women were the majority in the authorship. It is important to make gender inequalities visible in scientific dissemination and to promote gender-sensitive research, which can help to reduce gender bias in clinical studies as well as to design public policies for post-pandemic recovery that are more gender-equitable.

The Impact of Sex and Gender in Medicine and Pharmacology.

Sex and gender play a pivotal role in health and disease. Differences can be identified in symptoms, biomarkers, lifetime experiences of diseases, incidence, prevalence, therapeutic options, health-related behavior, and resiliency. However, awareness of sex and gender differences in medicine is still limited. Systematic implementation of sex and gender-sensitive research is not yet the norm, resulting in gaps in evidence especially in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in women. For decades research has predominantly included male persons and animals, leading to a lack of information about symptoms in female individuals or the classification of their symptoms as "atypical". Currently, the inclusion of female participants in clinical marketing access trials is mandatory. However, this does not automatically translate into sex-disaggregated analyses potentially limiting the discovery of sex-specific targeted therapeutic schemes. Consistent consideration of sex and gender in planning, conducting, analyzing, and dissemination of pharmacological research projects is an important prerequisite for closing the gender data gap. Targeted implementation strategies might help to include sex and gender aspects in different parts of the health system and thereby support the improvement of health care for all patients. Health economic aspects could be a further drive for the implementation of sex- and gender-sensitive medicine.The current chapter focuses on the role of sex and gender in biomedical research and, consequently, their potential role in pharmacology. We will explore the commonly used terminology in the field, the historical development of sex and gender-sensitive medicine (SGSM), the relevance of sex and gender to research and clinical practice and conclude with an outlook on future developments in the field.

Do family characteristics explain a social gradient in overweight in early childhood?

Abstract Background Children's overweight is associated with many factors, including their living situation, in particular their family's socioeconomic position (SEP) and family characteristics. Research on the extent to which family characteristics account for a social gradient in overweight in early life is scarce. This study evaluated whether family characteristics explain SEP differences in the risk of overweight in early childhood. Methods The study used baseline data of 3-6 year-old children (n = 1,116) from the intervention ‘Ene mene fit’ conducted at kindergartens in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Data included overweight (body mass index > 90 percentile) and parents’ reports on their education and family characteristics associated with overweight (child consumes: sweets in front of TV, soft drinks; family joined time: outdoor, breakfast, sports; cooking; child sets table; role model). Model-based single mediation analyses decomposed the total effect of highest parental education on overweight into direct (unmediated) and indirect (mediated) effects (OR, 95% CI). Results Girls and boys with low parental education had higher odds for overweight than children with high/medium education. Among boys, low education influenced the risk of overweight via indirect effects of i. ‘sweets consumption in front of TV’ (OR = 1.31, 1.05-1.59) and ii. ‘no joined sports’ (OR = 1.14, 1.00-1.44). The direct effect of low education only remained significant when ‘no joined sports’ was considered (OR = 2.19, 1.11-5.19). Among girls, family characteristics measured here did not explain SEP differences in overweight. Conclusions The family characteristics ‘sweets consumption in front of TV’ and ‘no joined sports’ contribute to inequalities in overweight among boys, but not among girls. Therefore, more gender-sensitive research is needed to identify family risk and protective characteristics that explain health inequalities among both boys and girls.

Predictors of the 10 year course of mental health and quality of life for trauma-affected refugees after psychological treatment

ABSTRACT Background: Trauma-affected refugee patients benefit from psychological treatment to different degrees. Only a handful of studies has investigated potential predictors of treatment outcome that could throw light on the great variability in outcomes reported for this group. Such knowledge may be vital to better tailor prevention and treatment efforts to the needs of different individuals and subgroups among these patients. Objective: In a naturalistic and longitudinal study, the aim was to analyse demographics and traumatic exposure as potential predictors of the participants’ long-term trajectories of mental health symptoms and quality of life. Method: A group of 54 multi-origin adult refugee patients with complex traumatic exposure, such as armed conflicts, persecution, torture, and childhood adversities, were interviewed face to face over up to 10 years; at therapy admittance, and at varying points in time during and after psychotherapy. Checklists of war-related and childhood trauma, mental health symptoms, and quality of life were included in the interviews. In linear mixed effects analyses, interaction was analysed with potential predictors included separately because of the sample size. Time was modelled as continuous from inclusion into the study. Results: Gender predicted the course of symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression, and of quality of life in physical health and social relationships. Childhood family violence and experiences of torture predicted the course of depression, whereas the extent of exposure to war-related trauma events and having experienced torture predicted the course of anxiety. Conclusions: The results indicated greater chronicity in male refugees, in refugees who had experienced domestic violence during childhood, in refugees who had experienced torture, and in refugees with more numerous types of potentially traumatic war-related experiences. The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive research, rehabilitative efforts, and treatment. HIGHLIGHTS In a 10 year longitudinal and naturalistic therapy follow-up study of traumatized refugees, female gender, childhood trauma, war trauma, and torture predicted mental health and quality of life outcomes. Male participants responded less than females to therapy.

Adverse Events (AEs) After Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation and Associated Psychosocial Risk Factors in Women

<h3>Purpose</h3> Reasons for women's increased probability to experience AEs after LVAD implantation compared to men remain uncertain. The present analysis examined pre-implant psychosocial risk factors focusing on women. <h3>Methods</h3> We analyzed AEs in 19,984 patients (21.3% women), who received a primary continuous-flow LVAD between 7/2006 and 12/2017 and were enrolled in the INTERMACS. AEs considered were infection, neurological dysfunction, rehospitalization, respiratory failure, bleeding, device malfunction/ pump thrombosis, renal dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmia. Cumulative incidence functions were calculated for each AE including the competing outcomes death, heart transplant and device explant due to recovery. Event-specific Cox proportional hazard models were run, controlling for device-related factors, medical parameters, age and psychosocial factors (e.g., substance abuse, limited social support, severe depression, other major psychiatric diagnosis). <h3>Results</h3> Women were more likely than men to experience six out of the eight AEs. After 1 year, differences in women's and men's probability for AEs were most apparent for infection (44.4% in women vs. 39.2% in men, <i>p</i> < .001), neurological dysfunction (19.8% vs. 16.1%, <i>p</i> < .001) and rehospitalization (72.1% vs. 68.9%, <i>p</i> = .002). After multivariable adjustments, in women an increased rate of infection was associated with obesity and younger age. Rehospitalization was associated with major psychiatric diagnosis, smoking history, and younger age. Neurological dysfunction was associated with history of alcohol abuse [all HRs between 1.01 and 1.60, all <i>p</i> < .05]. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Women were more likely than men to experience AEs. We confirm previous findings by using an adequate competing risks approach for each AE separately. Each AE was specifically and independently associated with psychosocial factors. Substance abuse and younger age appear to be of particular relevance. These findings underline the importance of promoting: 1.) gender-sensitive research to shed more light on women's enhanced risk for AEs; 2.) rigorous assessment of psychosocial risk factors before LVAD implant. This is warranted to improve clinical practice for women.

Using human factors and ergonomics methods to challenge the status quo: Designing for gender equitable research outcomes

There have been recent calls for Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) to expand its reach and focus to address larger scale societal and global issues. An area of growing awareness is the issue of the gender data gap, whereby women are under-represented in research data, leading to inequitable outcomes when research findings are used to design real world technologies, products, environments, processes, and policies. The aim of this paper is to showcase how structured HFE methods can be used to address the gender data gap. We applied the Sociotechnical Systems Design Toolkit which involved using causal loop diagrams and abstraction hierarchy modelling from Cognitive Work Analysis to understand the system in which the issue occurs and key pain points, followed by the application of the Design with Intent Toolkit to generate design ideas. A total of 43 ideas were developed that could be implemented by universities to address the research data gap. The application demonstrates the utility of HFE methods in tackling complex issues and offers an opportunity for the HFE community to reflect upon the importance of gender sensitive research practices and gender equity more broadly.

Love the Food That Loves You Back: A Planetary Health and Women's Heart Health Partnership.

Planetary health and human health are inextricably linked in a complex relationship. Gender-based health vulnerabilities fall disproportionately on women regardless of a country's economy and resources. Women and girls are often the most affected by environmental degradation in food and water systems, along with gender-specific disparities. Addressing food production and nutrition can play a key role in the nursing profession's advocacy for planetary health and heart disease prevention in addressing gender-specific disparities. This article reviews research on the intersection of planetary health, heart health, nutrition strategies, and gender-specific disparities, utilizing the planetary health perspective that views human health and the Earth's health as deeply connected. Data supports nutritional solutions including a plant-based diet to improve environmental health, increase food security and planetary health, and decrease heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Nurses play a critical role in assessing patients' food security and educating about the benefits of healthy and sustainable foods as well as how food choices can impact planetary health. Gender-sensitive research, including collection, analysis, and reporting of sex-disaggregated data, is needed to better understand the implications of planetary health threats, solutions, and policies.

Women in the Russian Service for Emergencies: Motivation for Enter the Service and Career Features

There are few sociological studies of the service in the structures of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation. There are few gender-sensitive research too. Although this type of public service has always been considered a sphere of male employment, women work in it too. The solution by these women of the “family-work” role conflict is very important. Purpose of the study: to find out the opinion of graduates of the St. Petersburg University of the State Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia and female employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations about: 1) the motivation for women to enter this university; 2) the prospects for their career growth and the creation of a family. Methods: analysis of documents and departmental statistics, Internet survey, group focused interview. Sample survey: 200 university graduates, representing all areas of study. The focus group was attended by 6 women. They have a length of service in the Ministry of Emergency Situation from 5 to 10 years. Results. The study tested three hypotheses. 1) The motivation to enter this university is different for women and men. The hypothesis was disproved. At the same time, it turned out that for women it turns out to be more significant than for men, the influence of the immediate environment on the admission decision. 2) Service in the Ministry of Emergency Situations has significant differences from work in other organizations. It can affect the creation of a family. The hypothesis was partially confirmed. Features have been highlighted, but they do not have a significant impact on family creaation. 3) It is more difficult for women than for men to make a career in the structures of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The hypothesis requires additional verification. According to the respondents, careers are more influenced not by gender stereotypes, but by personal characteristics and the desire to pursue a career, but the opposite point of view was also presented. The relevance of the study. This pilot project made it possible to outline the directions for further study of the prospects for the feminization of public service of other types (not civil and not military).

Gendered fear of crime in the urban context: A comparative multilevel study of women’s and men’s fear of crime

ABSTRACT Women generally feel more fearful than men. We study this so-called fear-gender gap, by contributing to a growing body of quantitative gender-sensitive research inspired by feminist theory. We depart from traditional quantitative fear of crime research that fails to examine how determinants of fear of crime impact women and men differently. We use a Dutch governmental survey, linked to neighborhood characteristics, to conduct multilevel modeling using multifaceted sociospatial aspects on individual and neighborhood level, to explain the fear-gender gap in the city of Eindhoven. Findings indicate that the sociospatial environment and the perceptions thereof offer insights into gendered differences in fear. A central finding is that fear of crime among women is particularly complex. We discuss the concept of fear of crime, the importance of feminist theory to inform data gathering in order to further future quantitative research on fear of crime, and make suggestions for future research.

Editorial: Gender sensitive research in adult education: Looking back and looking forward to explore what is and what is missing in the research agenda

Editorial: Gender sensitive research in adult education: Looking back and looking forward to explore what is and what is missing in the research agenda