Minor Gender Differences Research Articles

Exploring mathematical wellbeing across cultures: insights from diverse students

AbstractAcross many countries, including New Zealand, diverse groups including indigenous, migrant, and marginalised communities, are under-represented in mathematics, as evidenced by achievement disparities and disengagement from higher-level mathematics. Both research and policy have focused on developing equitable education outcomes for all students. A key aspect of this is wellbeing, including within mathematics classrooms, which includes identifying classroom environments that enable wellbeing. This study examines mathematical wellbeing (MWB) across different ethnicities and genders, with a case study focus on students from Pacific heritages. Analysing qualitative responses from over 12,000 diverse students revealed that positive relationships in the mathematics classroom were most commonly associated with students’ MWB. Accomplishment and cognitive factors, including mathematical accuracy, learning new things, and understanding, were also identified as important. Minor gender differences emerged, with female students emphasising mathematical understanding, accuracy, and relationships more than male students. The Pacific student case study highlighted the importance of both cognitive aspects (learning new things and understanding) and relationships (peer and teacher support), uncovering an alignment between cultural values and MWB. This study empirically confirms seven universal values supporting student MWB, previously identified in Australian and Chinese contexts, suggesting that teachers internationally may align pedagogical practices with these values to support most students’ MWB. However, the instrumental values serving these universal values appear culturally unique. This research contributes novel insights to the field by examining wellbeing with a subject-specific focus through student-generated responses, offering implications for developing more equitable and culturally inclusive mathematics classrooms.

The Attitudes and Perceptions of Saudi EFL Learners Toward Using English Language Learning Mobile Apps for Learning English

This study investigated the views of Saudi EFL students toward using English Language Learning Mobile Apps (MELLA) to learn English. A quantitative approach consisting of questionnaires was used to collect data from eighty-nine participants who shared their attitudes and perceptions about MELLAs. Questionnaire items were rated on a Likert scale which ranged from “Strongly Disagree” (1, very low) to “Strongly Agree” (5, very high). Mean Likert scale scores were used to evaluate participants’ responses. The study found that Saudis’ perceptions of MELLA exceeded their attitudes. Moreover, gender differences were found in Saudis’ attitudes toward the use of MELLA. The highest-ranking female attitude mean scores were observed on items related to pronunciation, dictionary, and listening apps while the highest-ranking male attitude mean scores were related to dictionary, listening, and vocabulary apps. Furthermore, the Saudis’ mean score for MELLA perception was higher than the mean score for MELLA attitude. Results also show that females have a higher perception than males. Finally, minor gender differences regarding MELLA perception were also found; the highest female mean scores were based on easiness and flexibility in the use of apps while males highly perceived the convenience of using an app anywhere and at any time as being most important to them.

The gendered character of claims-making: A longitudinal analysis

In this article, we examine the gendered outcomes of career negotiations, which involve employees discussing career advancements with their direct supervisors. We apply relational inequality theory, which conceptualizes career negotiations as instances of relational claims-making, to explain gender differences in returns in terms of hourly wages, occupational status, and subjective perceptions of job advancements. Our empirical approach employs individual fixed-effect models using three waves of unique German linked employer-employee panel data on 2090 employees across 131 workplaces (LEEP-B3; 2012–2019). We find that men discussing career advancements with supervisors, experience pay raises and occupational upward mobility, whereas women do not. Yet, we find only minor gender differences in perceived job advancements following career negotiations. In workplaces with a more balanced gender representation in management and supervisory positions, women’s wage returns from negotiations increase. Although individual negotiations seem to perpetuate gender inequalities, workplace structures can weaken inequality-generating mechanisms.

Job satisfaction and work stress among physicians in Norway and Germany-A cross-sectional study.

Physicians' health and wellbeing are important albeit often neglected quality indicators of health care systems. The aims of the study were to compare job satisfaction and work stress among doctors in Germany and Norway, and to identify predictors for job satisfaction. All active physicians in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (N = 13,304) and a nationwide sample of Norwegian physicians (N = 2,316) were surveyed in a cross-sectional design in 2021. Response rates of German and Norwegian physicians were n = 4,385 (33%) and n = 1,639 (70.8%), respectively. In addition to age, sex, and work-hours, the main outcome measures were the validated Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS) and the short form of the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERI). There were significant differences between Norwegian and German physicians in job satisfaction but with small effect sizes. All effort scores of German physicians were significantly higher and four of seven reward scores significantly lower than for their Norwegian colleagues. The proportion of German physicians in the state of a gratification crisis was significantly higher (67%) than in their Norwegian colleagues (53%). In both countries, physicians with a gratification crisis scored significantly lower on all items of job satisfaction. There were only minor gender differences in job satisfaction and effort-reward balance. Age, effort, and reward accounted for 46% of the explained variance of job satisfaction. Lower job satisfaction and reward in some areas and higher perceived effort of physicians in Germany than in Norway are still in favor of Norwegian working conditions, but the differences seem to diminish. The high proportions of gratification crises in both countries warrants appropriate measures for prevention and health promotion.

The interplay among BMI, body dissatisfaction, body appreciation, and body image inflexibility in Chinese young adults: A network perspective

The co-occurrence and interplay between body mass index (BMI), body dissatisfaction, body appreciation, and body image inflexibility have yet to be fully understood. To address this gap, we employed network analysis (NA), a statistical approach that can uncover complex patterns of relationships between variables and identify the core symptoms of the network. A regularized partial correlation network was estimated for 1065 Chinese young adult participants (226 men, Mage = 18.90 years, SD = 0.99, range: 18–25 years; 839 women, Mage = 18.90, SD = 0.96, range: 18–23 years). We used a modularity-based algorithm to identify network communities and estimated both central symptoms and symptoms that bridge these communities. We also tested for gender differences within the identified communities. Items related to self-evaluation of the body (e.g., stomach and thigh size) from body dissatisfaction and BMI were clustered into one community, while body appreciation, body image inflexibility, and the rest of the body dissatisfaction items were clustered into distinct communities based on the measures they come from. The NA results revealed that negative opinions about body shape, coupled with body image inflexibility, might play crucial roles in bridging other communities in the network. We also observed minor gender differences in bridging effects of body appreciation. Our findings provide empirical evidence of the interconnections between BMI, body dissatisfaction, body appreciation, and body image inflexibility in Chinese young adults, highlighting the essential role of self-evaluation of the body and body image inflexibility in this network for future clinical implications.

Women rate the competence of their occupational role higher than men do: Evidence from two different samples

Gender stereotypes play a potent role in how the work of men and women is perceived and valued. Stereotypes also influence the way people look upon themselves. In the present research, two studies are reported where men and women at work rated the degree of warmth and competence of a person with their own occupation, and how they think people in general would perceive a person in the same occupation. A wider gap between own perceptions and that of people in general was expected for women than for men, as it was assumed that the view of other people’s perceptions would serve as a proxy for stereotype threat for women. Study 1 comprised 449 participants (74 % women) working within the public sector, mainly in social, caring, and education professions, and Study 2 comprised a convenience sample of 189 participants (70 % women) from a variety of sectors and professions. Both studies yielded consistent results; contradictory to what was expected, men and women did not differ in terms of how they thought people in general would perceive the competence of their occupation, instead women rated the competence of their own occupation higher than men did, even after controlling for type of occupation and educational level. Warmth displayed only minor gender differences. The results are discussed in relation to research on counter-reactions against stereotype threat, how the concept of competence could be understood, as well as other possible explanations of the unexpected results.

Prevalence and course of anxiety disorders and symptoms from preschool to adolescence: a 6-wave community study.

The rate of various anxiety disorders in early childhood and whether they continue into middle childhood or adolescence is not known. We therefore report on the prevalence and stability of DSM-5-defined anxiety disorders and their symptoms, capturing the period from preschool to adolescence. By means of interviewer-based clinical interviews, anxiety was measured in a sample of Norwegian children at six measurement points from age 4 to 14 (n = 1,041). To adjust for time-invariant factors, we applied random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs) capturing within-person changes. Nearly 10% (95% CI = 7.29, 12.63) had an anxiety disorder at some timepoint. Specific phobia was the most prevalent disorder in early and middle childhood, whereas generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) increased in prevalence and became the most common anxiety disorder at age 14 (4.51%, 95% CI = 2.78, 6.23). When time-invariant confounding was adjusted for, homotypic continuity in anxiety symptoms typically first emerged in late middle childhood or adolescence. Even so, such within-person analyses revealed a heterotypic path from increased number of early childhood symptoms of specific phobia to increased number of GAD symptoms in middle childhood (B = .41, 95% CI = .06, .75). Increased separation anxiety in middle childhood predicted increased symptoms of GAD in adolescence (B = .38, 95% CI = .14, .62), and vice versa (B = .05, 95% CI = .00, .09). Only minor gender differences were revealed. Anxiety disorders are prevalent in childhood. In early childhood, anxiety symptoms generally do not predict later anxiety symptoms. In middle childhood, however, such symptoms are less likely to vanish, indicating this developmental period to be particularly important for preventive and treatment efforts.

Teachers' Self-efficacy for Using Information and Communication Technology: The Interaction Effect of Gender and Age

The purpose of the study is to examine the moderating effect of age on gender differences in teachers’ self-efficacy for using information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching as well as possible variables underlying this effect. Following Bandura’s conceptualisation of self-efficacy, we defined teachers' self-efficacy as their confidence in performing specific tasks that require the integration of ICT into the teaching practice. The study was conducted via an online questionnaire on a sample of 6613 elementary and upper secondary school teachers in Croatia. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis was applied. The findings indicate minor gender differences in self-efficacy for using ICT that are more prominent among older teachers and practically non-existent among younger teachers. These effects remain statistically significant after controlling for the type of school where the teacher works, perceived technical and professional support for using ICT in school, and frequency of use of computer programmes in teaching. The interaction effect ceases to be statistically significant after the introduction of length of computer use in teaching and/or attitudes towards computers in the model, indicating that these two variables have a role in low self-efficacy for using ICT among older female teachers. A similar level of self-efficacy for using ICT among young male and female teachers is an encouraging finding which could hopefully be followed by gender equality in other aspects of ICT use. The findings suggest that strategies for enhancing ICT self-efficacy should be particularly targeted at older female teachers. This study contributes to a better understanding of the underresearched topic of gender differences in teacher’s ICT self-efficacy.

Abdominal subcutaneous fat quantification in obese patients from limited field-of-view MRI data

Different types of adipose tissue can be accurately localized and quantified by tomographic imaging techniques (MRI or CT). One common shortcoming for the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) of obese subjects is the technically restricted imaging field of view (FOV). This work derives equations for the conversion between six surrogate measures and fully segmented ASAT volume and discusses the predictive power of these image-based quantities. Clinical (gender, age, anthropometry) and MRI data (1.5 T, two-point Dixon sequence) of 193 overweight and obese patients (116 female, 77 male) from a single research center for obesity were analyzed retrospectively. Six surrogate measures of fully segmented ASAT volume (VASAT) were considered: two simple ASAT lengths, two partial areas (Ap-FH, Ap-ASIS) and two partial volumes (Vp-FH, Vp-ASIS) limited by either the femoral heads (FH) or the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). Least-squares regression between each measure and VASAT provided slope and intercept for the computation of estimated ASAT volumes (V~ASAT). Goodness of fit was evaluated by coefficient of determination (R2) and standard deviation of percent differences (sd%) between V~ASAT and VASAT. Best agreement was observed for partial volume Vp-FH (sd% = 14.4% and R2 = 0.78), followed by Vp-ASIS (sd% = 18.1% and R2 = 0.69) and AWFASIS (sd% = 23.9% and R2 = 0.54), with minor gender differences only. Other estimates from simple lengths and partial areas were moderate only (sd% > 23.0% and R2 < 0.50). Gender differences in R2 generally ranged between 0.02 (dven) and 0.29 (Ap-FH). The common FOV restriction for MRI volumetry of ASAT in obese subjects can best be overcome by estimating VASAT from Vp-FH using the equation derived here. The very simple AWFASIS can be used with reservation.

Older Adults' Preference for Landscape Features Along Urban Park Walkways in Nanjing, China.

Evidence shows that walking in urban parks has multiple health benefits for older adults, but little research is available on their preference for specific walkway features. This study explored a range of common landscape and hardscape features to learn which were preferred by park users over age 60. This photo comparison study hypothesized that older adults would prefer certain features of urban park walkways, with each feature represented by four different paired images (28 pairs in all). Within each pair of photos, both were identical except for the specific feature being tested in that comparison, where the image was digitally modified to depict the hypothesized feature. A total of 283 older adults (mean age 71 years) completed the survey by selecting the images they preferred. In this Chinese sample, older park users significantly favored all seven hypothesized walkway features, providing empirical support for the existing research and design-based literature on green space for older adults. This study found minor gender differences in visual preferences for walkway features and increasing preference for access to seating with advancing age. By helping to confirm which walkway features are preferred by older adults, these findings can be used to improve the future design and management of urban parks in China, which are an important source of exercise and recreation for nearby elderly residents.

Gender and the Career Outcomes of Ph.D. Astronomers in the United States

We analyze the postdoctoral career tracks of a nearly complete sample of astronomers from 28 United States graduate astronomy and astrophysics programs spanning 13 graduating years (). A majority of both men and women (65% and 66%, respectively) find long-term employment in astronomy or closely related academic disciplines. We find no significant difference in the rates at which men and women are hired into these jobs following their Ph.D.s or in the rates at which they leave the field. Applying a two-outcome survival analysis model to the entire data set, we measure a relative academic hiring probability ratio for women versus men at a common year -post-Ph.D. of and a leaving probability ratio of (95% CI). These are both consistent with equal outcomes for both genders () and rule out more than minor gender differences in hiring or in the decision to abandon an academic career. They suggest that despite discrimination and adversity, women scientists are successful at managing the transition between Ph.D., postdoctoral, and faculty/staff positions.

Master World Records show minor gender differences of performance decline with aging.

Aging behaviours are significantly different in females and males, e.g., the former have a longer life expectancy, but consistently a weaker muscle force. Our purpose is to analyse possible gender-differential declines of skeletal muscle performance. The method to find out the decline of performances with aging is based on a parametric analysis of the World Records of Master athletes in different Track and Field events. The analysis is a transformation (normalization) of sports results into dimensionless parameters ranging from the maximum value of 1 (for the absolute world record) to decreasing values with decreasing performances. Master athletes compete in age groups of 5 years till the age of 100 years, thus their World Records are lists of up to 16 data. Results of the normalization procedure are trend-lines indicating that the decline starts not later than the age of thirty years for both women and women. The decline with aging of the muscle performances indicates only minor gender differences in the aging process and all trend-lines tend to zero at about the age of 110 years. The approach, making use of a homogeneous cohort of testers, gets rid of the main confounding factors biasing other kind of studies of the muscle performance decline with aging, in particular clinical studies. Comparing normalized female and male World Records of Master athletes, a surprise emerged: aging decline is very similar, if not identical, the unique exception to the general rule of gender differences in sports activities. The substantial identity of decline trends among females and males suggests that neuro-hormonal differences among genders poorly influence the aging decline, being conceivably related to fundamental cell bioregulators, such as those of cellular energy metabolism and/or their epigenetic regulatory mechanisms.

Statistical analysis of master world records: Surprisingly minor gender differences of aging performance decay

Statistical analysis of master world records: Surprisingly minor gender differences of aging performance decay

Bile acid detoxifying enzymes limit susceptibility to liver fibrosis in female SHRSP5/Dmcr rats fed with a high-fat-cholesterol diet.

During middle age, women are less susceptible to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) than men. Thus, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms behind these sexual differences using an established rat model of NASH. Mature female and male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive 5/Dmcr rats were fed control or high-fat-cholesterol (HFC) diets for 2, 8, and 14 weeks. Although HFC-induced hepatic fibrosis was markedly less severe in females than in males, only minor gender differences were observed in expression levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP)7A1, CYP8B1 CYP27A1, and CYP7B1, and multidrug resistance-associated protein 3, and bile salt export pump, which are involved in fibrosis-related bile acid (BA) kinetics. However, the BA detoxification-related enzymes UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and sulfotransferase (SULT) 2A1, and the nuclear receptors constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR), were strongly suppressed in HFC-fed males, and were only slightly changed in HFC-diet fed females. Expression levels of the farnesoid X receptor and its small heterodimer partner were similarly regulated in a gender-dependent fashion following HFC feeding. Hence, the pronounced female resistance to HFC-induced liver damage likely reflects sustained expression of the nuclear receptors CAR and PXR and the BA detoxification enzymes UGT and SULT.

Styles of humor and social skills in students. Gender differences

Styles of humor and social skills could significantly determine a person’s functioning. This study aimed to analyze whether styles of humor and social skills correlate, and also the relation that links these variables according to gender. We employed the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) and the Social Skills Scale (EHS, in Spanish) to assess 643 participants. The results showed that males used styles of humor (Affiliative, Self-enhancing, Aggressive and Self-defeating) more than females. We found gender differences for social skills only in the factors Expression of disapproval (higher scores for females) and Say no and interrupt interactions (higher scores for males). The data indicate correlations among the factors styles of humor and social skills, but not in them all. When we formed groups that allowed the classification of participants according to styles of humor and social skills, females showed a more even distribution, while three of every four males obtained high levels for styles of humor (except for Self-defeating humor) and social skills (except for Making requests). The model created with styles of humor and social skills indicated an optimum fit: χ2(25) = 56.921 p < 0.001; χ2/gl =2.27; CFI = 0.97; NFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.044, 95%CI (0.029–0.060), with minor gender differences in the relation between styles of humor and social skills. In conclusion, this research shows how males scored higher than females for all four humor styles and dimensions, and not only for negative humor styles as in previous research works. We found that gender differences for social skills revealed only two factors, which may be related to the use of negative humor styles (Expression of disapproval and Say no and interrupt interactions). Finally, one in every three males and two in every three females had problems in some, or several, sections to manage styles of humor and social skills. Hence we should work on this matter in classrooms. Further research on the interpersonal context of humor and the role of gender in humor styles and social skills is warranted.

Exploring students motives for studying psychology: a qualitative study

The present study explored participants’ motives for studying psychology. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The research method consisted of a brief survey. Four Black participants (male = 2; female = 2) for the study were purposefully selected from a Historically Black institution of higher learning in South Africa. The data collected through audio-taped individual, semi-structured interviews were analyzed by means of content analysis. The participants were asked to describe their motives for choosing psychology as a field of study. The results suggest that the participants chose psychology for various reasons. Minor gender differences were noted in the motives for the choice of psychology as a career. Further research on the topic is needed.

Quantification of sweat secretion in focal axillary hyperhidrosis related to area and time: the hyperhidrosis area and secretion index.

Severity of focal axillary hyperhidrosis (FAH) hitherto is estimated semiquantitatively by weighting the secreted sweat with the sweating area visualized by iodine starch test. In this study, we quantified secretion (mg/cm(2) per min) simply by estimating the sweating area morphometrically via point counting. We have named the numeric value obtained the hyperhidrosis area and secretion index (HASI). In 183 patients (146 women, 37 men) with focal axillary hyperhidrosis, seen in a city hospital outpatient clinic, sweat secretion was assessed by gravimetry and the area of Minor's iodine-starch test determined by point counting. Values were analyzed with respect to gender, age, and body surface area. HASI values, combined for both axillae, ranged from 0.21 to 22.8 mg/cm(2) per minute with only minor gender differences. Men had larger sweating areas than women did. The comparison of left to right side axillae did not disclose substantial differences. No correlation was found between age and HASI values. A subgroup analysis of 91 patients showed a good correlation of HASI values with body surface area. HASI allows for a quantification of sweat secretion per time interval and area unit, thus facilitating pre- and post-test assessment of sweat intensity as well as a comparison between the results of different studies.

Attention in Older Adults: A Normative Study of the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test for Persons Aged 70 Years

Objective: Our objective was to present normative data from 70-year-olds on the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA), a computerized measure of attention and response control. Method: 640 participants (330 men and 310 women), all aged 70 years, completed the IVA, as well as the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: Data were stratified by education and gender. Education differences were found in 11 of 22 IVA scales. Minor gender differences were found in six scales for the high-education group, and two scales for the low-education group. Comparisons of healthy participants and participants with stroke, myocardial infarction, or diabetes showed only minor differences. Correlations among IVA scales were strong (all r > .34, p < .001), and those with the widely used Mini-Mental State Examination were weaker (all r < .21, p < .05). Skewed distributions of normative data from primary IVA scales measuring response inhibition (Prudence) and inattention (Vigilance) represent a weakness of this test. Conclusions: This study provides IVA norms for 70-year-olds stratified by education and gender, increasing the usability of this instrument when testing persons near this age. The data presented here show some major differences from original IVA norms, and explanations for these differences are discussed. Explanations include the broad age-range used in the original IVA norms (66–99 years of age) and the passage of 15 years since the original norms were collected.

Scientific Inquiry Self-Efficacy and Computer Game Self-Efficacy as Predictors and Outcomes of Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ Performance in a Science Assessment in a Virtual Environment

The primary aim of the study was to examine whether performance on a science assessment in an immersive virtual environment was associated with changes in scientific inquiry self-efficacy. A secondary aim of the study was to examine whether performance on the science assessment was equitable for students with different levels of computer game self-efficacy, including whether gender differences were observed. We examined 407 middle school students’ scientific inquiry self-efficacy and computer game self-efficacy before and after completing a computer game-like assessment about a science mystery. Results from path analyses indicated that prior scientific inquiry self-efficacy predicted achievement on end-of-module questions, which in turn predicted change in scientific inquiry self-efficacy. By contrast, computer game self-efficacy was neither predictive of nor predicted by performance on the science assessment. While boys had higher computer game self-efficacy compared to girls, multi-group analyses suggested only minor gender differences in how efficacy beliefs related to performance. Implications for assessments with virtual environments and future design and research are discussed.

Gender differences in the age-cohort distribution of psychological distress in Canadian adults: findings from a national longitudinal survey

Psychological distress is frequently used as an indicator of the mental health of a population. Overall, the mean level of distress is higher in women than in men and tends to decrease in both genders during adulthood. This pattern is primarily attributable to the differential exposure of women and men to specific risk factors over their lifetimes. However, the age distribution for distress may be confounded by a cohort effect. This study aimed to compare the age and birth cohort distribution of psychological distress by gender. This study was based on data from the National Population Health Survey, a longitudinal population survey conducted in Canada from 1994–1995 to 2010–2011. Growth curve analyses were performed separately in women (n = 9062) and in men (n = 7877) to examine the distribution of psychological distress by age group and birth cohort in Canadians aged 18 years and older. The mean level of psychological distress is higher in women than in men in all age groups and all birth cohorts, and in the 18-29 age group than in older adults. Minor gender differences are found in the distribution of distress when age and birth cohort are examined jointly. In women, the mean level of distress decreases steadily beginning at age 18, reaches its lowest point in the 60-69 age group and rises thereafter without ever reaching the level observed in young adults. In men, it remains stable in the twenties and then follows a pattern similar to that observed in women. This age pattern is more apparent in more recent than in earlier cohorts and is related to variations in employment status, marital status and education during adulthood. Young adults and, to a lesser degree, seniors are at higher risk for psychological distress than other adults. To better understand the epidemiology of psychological distress, future research should focus on the risk factors that are more prevalent in these age groups. A starting point would be to evaluate how employment status, marital status and educational level change during adulthood and have changed over time in women and in men.