Understanding Gender Differences Research Articles

Gender, Network Recall, and Structural Holes

ABSTRACTAccurate recall of social networks is critical to individuals' success in organizations, as it enables them to leverage networks more effectively. Understanding whether men or women exhibit greater recall accuracy is particularly important given persistent gender inequalities in workplaces and the role of networks in shaping access to social resources and opportunities. We propose that women and men exhibit different levels of recall accuracy, which depend on the structural characteristics of the network. Specifically, women's greater reliance on the triadic closure mental schema—assuming a relationship between two individuals who are both connected to the same third party—enhances their recall accuracy in more cohesive networks with many closed triads but diminishes it in networks with more structural holes. Across three studies, including a demographically diverse sample representative of the US population, we confirm that women exhibit superior network recall accuracy on average and show that this advantage is contingent on network structure. This research advances our understanding of gender differences in network cognition and offers a potential cognitive explanation for women's underrepresentation in brokerage positions, which require recognizing open triads.

Gender Difference in Frequency, Types, Risk Factors and Outcome in Stroke Patients

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, with nearly 17 million cases and 6 million deaths annually. Understanding gender differences in stroke epidemiology is important for optimizing prevention and management strategies. Previous studies have shown variations in risk factors, clinical presentation, and outcomes between males and females. This study aimed to investigate gender disparities in frequency, types, risk factors, and outcomes of acute stroke patients in Pakistan. Material and Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from October 2023 to April 2024. Consecutive sampling was used to recruit 151 acute stroke patients aged 40-80 years presenting within 6 hours of symptom onset. Data on demographics, stroke type (ischemic/hemorrhagic) based on CT scan, vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, smoking, etc.), and outcomes (in-hospital mortality or discharge) were collected through a pre-designed questionnaire. Results: The mean age of patients was 64.5±8.9 years. Males comprised 59.6% while females were 40.4% of the sample. Hemorrhagic stroke (55.6%) was more frequent than ischemic stroke (44.4%). The most prevalent modifiable risk factors were tobacco/paan/gutka use (56.3%), hypertension (41.7%), smoking (46.4%), and diabetes mellitus (28.5%). In-hospital mortality occurred in 11.9% patients, while the remaining 88.1% were discharged alive. Stratification analysis showed no significant gender differences in mortality (p=0.889) or discharge (p=0.889) outcomes. Conclusion: In this sample of Pakistani acute stroke patients, there were no substantial gender disparities found in the in-hospital mortality or discharge. However, males showed a non-significant predominance in frequency. The study is limited by its single-center design and small sample size. More multi-center prospective studies on gender differences across the full spectrum of stroke epidemiology are warranted in Pakistan and other South Asian populations.

The Relationship Between Social-Emotional Skills and Academic Performance: A Gender Analysis

ABSTRACT Social-emotional skills influence students’ academic performance and educational trajectory. However, their development and educational impact may vary according to gender. In Uruguay, the inclusion of these skills within the national educational achievement assessment system (Aristas) allows for analyzing their impact on mathematical and reading performance and contributes to understanding gender differences in learning. For this purpose, data from Aristas 2022, entailing a representative sample of students in the third grade of secondary education in Uruguay (n = 7915), were analyzed. Multilevel regression models were used to examine the relationship between social-emotional skills and mathematical and reading achievement scores, compared by gender. The results indicate that females perform better in reading and males in mathematics. Self-efficacy is the strongest predictor of performance in both areas, with a more significant effect on males in mathematics and females in reading. Metacognitive self-regulation is critical for reading performance, especially in females. Contrary to what the literature indicates, intrinsic motivation is negatively correlated with academic performance in both genders. Social-emotional skills have a different impact according to gender and subject area. Understanding these dynamics can help design educational policies promoting equity in learning, taking into account country-specific variations.

Novel Photogrammetric Instrument to Measure Cervical Spine Range-Of-Motion: Test-Retest Reliability, Construct Validity, and Gender-Based Assessment Through a Cross-Sectional Study on Asymptomatic Adults

OBJECTIVE: To examine test-retest reliability, construct validity, and measurement error of RomIX, a photogrammetric instrument developed by the authors, to measure active cervical spine range-of-motion (CROM) compared to manual goniometry. DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational clinimetric study. METHODS: Active CROM of asymptomatic adults was recorded in six directions (flexion, extension, right/left side bending, and right/left rotation) by clinicians using both instruments. Normative active CROM were also studied from a large asymptomatic population. RESULTS: Excellent test-retest reliability was obtained for RomIX in all directions with high intraclass correlation coefficients and low standard error of measurement on 50 asymptomatic adults. Compared to goniometry, RomIX shows high Pearson’s correlation coefficients and narrow limits of agreement. Gender differences were also observed across 480 asymptomatic adults, revealing females with higher values, especially in flexion and left side bending. CONCLUSION: The obtained results support RomIX as a reliable tool for active CROM measurements, demonstrating high test-retest reliability and positive construct validity against manual goniometry in an asymptomatic cohort. Normative active CROM data from a large healthy population provide valuable references for understanding gender differences. While RomIX offers automated and marker-free assessment over shorter screening duration, further research is needed to evaluate its clinical applicability beyond asymptomatic populations.

Peran Orang tua Dalam Mengenalkan Pendidikan Seks Pada Anak Usia Dini

Sexual education in early childhood does not mean teaching how to have sexual relations, but rather explaining the human body's organs, their functions, and how to care for and maintain them. The presentation is carried out in stages, starting from introducing body parts and reproductive organs and their functions, understanding gender differences, separating children's beds, to teaching the importance of protecting their private parts and eyes. This research applies a qualitative descriptive method involving five parents as subjects, who have children aged 3–5 years in the Perum Griya Permata Alam Kanigoro environment, Blitar Regency. Data was collected through observation, interviews and documentation. Observations were carried out directly to identify the strategies used by parents in introducing sexual education to their children and the way they communicate with their children. Data analysis was carried out using triangulation techniques, which included data reduction, data presentation, verification and drawing conclusions. The research results show that parents apply various strategies in introducing sexual education to children, including: 1) introducing gender differences, 2) introducing sexual organs, 3) teaching toilet training, and 4) instilling shame.

Best Practices for Leveraging PISA CT Data to Understand Gender Differences in Creative Thinking

ABSTRACTAccess to data from the 2022 PISA creative thinking assessment (PISA CT) provides a unique opportunity to advance our understanding of gender differences in creativity. However, in addition to the general theoretical and methodological considerations discussed elsewhere in this special issue, there are several matters specific to gender differences in creativity that should be considered when interpreting the results of the PISA CT. First, the overall creative thinking index on the PISA CT may not provide much value to understanding gender differences in creativity, as differences may be domain and task specific. Second, gender differences in careless responding may bias results for gender differences in PISA CT scores, as effort is associated with enhanced creative performance. Third, the restricted age range of PISA participants may limit the generalizability of results, as the developmental dynamics of gender differences in creativity suggest that the size and direction of gender differences in creative performance may change during this stage of adolescence. Each of these issues, as well as potential solutions and directions for future research using PISA CT scores to examine gender differences in creativity, are discussed.

Gender estimation using dynamic features of digitally captured handwriting: A pilot study

Handwriting is a neuromuscular task influenced by factors such as age, gender, and handedness, with gender being a significant feature that can aid in classification. In the present study, thirty handwriting samples were analysed using a digital tablet with MovAlyzeR software. The key dynamic features, including absolute jerk, peak vertical velocity and acceleration, loop surface area, slant and pressure, were analysed using software. The results highlighted a significant difference in absolute jerk, with males showing higher values, underscoring its importance in gender classification. Although other features did not show significant gender differences, they remain important for comprehensive handwriting analysis. The study highlights the importance of dynamic handwriting features for understanding gender differences. Further studies are underway to identify more dynamic features contributing to gender classification from digitally captured handwriting.

Gender Differences in Students’ Spatial Abilities: A Systematic Literature Review Analysis in Educational Contexts

Abstract: In the midst of increasingly sophisticated technological developments today, spatial ability is one of the important abilities that must be mastered by students. The research is included in the SLR (Systematic Literature Review) research method. Through a literature review of 30 studies, the research sought to identify common patterns, influencing factors, as well as the implications of such gender differences. The analysis showed a tendency for males and females to differ in certain aspects of spatial ability, particularly in tasks involving mental rotation and spatial visualization, with males outperforming females. However, these findings are not always consistent across studies, and various factors such as biological factors such as age, cognitive factors such as learning style, social environmental factors, and individual emotional factors also play an important role that can affect spatial ability. This research also identified a diversity of research methods used in previous studies, ranging from quantitative to qualitative approaches. This demonstrates the complexity of researching this phenomenon. In addition, most of the studies focused on upper secondary students, so further research is needed to understand gender differences in spatial ability at lower levels of education. The findings of this study have significant implications for educational practice. Teachers need to create learning environments that are inclusive and stimulate the development of spatial abilities of all students, regardless of their gender. The use of various learning strategies involving object manipulation, visualization and problem solving can help improve students' spatial abilities. Further research is needed to develop effective interventions to improve spatial ability in all students, study the factors of spatial ability development, conduct cross-cultural studies to study the influence of cultural factors on gender differences in spatial ability. In addition, cross-cultural research is also important to understand how social and cultural factors affect the development of spatial ability. Keywords: spatial ability, spatial ability factors, gender differences.

0926 The Disproportionate Burden of OSA in Women in the United States: A Call for Improved Awareness and Diagnosis

Abstract Introduction While obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is widely recognized as a condition that predominantly impacts men, the burden on women is significant, yet often under-appreciated. Given increased attention on understanding gender differences in chronic diseases, especially related to menopausal changes (e.g., body weight and hormones), it is critical to better understand how the burden of OSA develops over time in women. Therefore, we sought to estimate the prevalence of OSA by gender across the United States (US) through the year 2050. Methods A dynamic open cohort population Markov model was developed to simulate population dynamics from 2020 to 2050. Population growth, OSA development, BMI trajectories, all-cause mortality, and OSA and BMI-related mortality were derived from literature estimates and modeled across subgroups of age, sex, and BMI trends in 5-year increments. OSA prevalence was calibrated for subgroups by age, sex and BMI, and distributions of OSA severity grades were modeled based on sex, apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and BMI. OSA prevalence (AHI >5) was projected among those aged 30-69 years. Results The burden of OSA across the US is expected to rise significantly by 2050, with total cases projected to increase by 34.7%, from 56.9 million in 2020 to 76.6 million by 2050. The prevalence of OSA is estimated to increase for both males and females, but the rise is notably more pronounced among women, with the number of female OSA cases projected to grow by 64.4%, from 18.9 million in 2020 to 30.4 million in 2050, while male cases are expected to increase by 19.0%, from 38.0 million to 46.2 million. Conclusion Our modeling study projects a significant increase in OSA prevalence across the US through 2050, with a disproportionate rise in the burden among women. This data serves as a call to action to increase awareness in primary healthcare settings, particularly regarding peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women who face weight gain and hormonal changes that increase OSA risk. The findings highlight the need for efficient and accurate diagnostic tools which are appropriate for characteristics of female OSA, along with optimal treatment pathways for female patients. Support (if any) ResMed

Does Gender Influence the Learning Process of Computational Thinking in Secondary Education?

ABSTRACTThe gender gap in STEM disciplines both in the workplace and in university education is still a reality. Computational thinking (CT) is deeply related to these disciplines. CT is fundamental to problem‐solving and critical thinking, skills that are core to STEM disciplines. CT involves skills like algorithmic thinking, pattern recognition, and abstraction, all of which are necessary for tasks in fields such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, and science. It is important to understand gender differences, if any, in the acquisition of CT skills, so that we can develop more effective teaching strategies for all. This study analyses the gender differences in the development of CT skills (measured with a standard test) in 149 students of a Spanish secondary school, in three courses between 12 and 14 years old, before and after classroom work sessions with a 3D robotics simulator. In the empirical evidence a relevant a priori gender difference was detected in the first course, likely related with prior experiences on computer programming, but boys and girls finish the first year with similar CT levels. Disparate results appear for second year (male students improve more) and third year (female students improve more) which demands further study.

Understanding gender differences in maize productivity among smallholders in central Uganda: a total factor productivity approach

Despite women’s dominance in maize production in Uganda, there have been reported cases of food insecurity among the female-headed households. In this study, we assessed gender disparities in maize productivity and the determinants of maize productivity among the male and female-headed households using cross-sectional data collected from 396 farmers in central Uganda. Data analysis was done using Total Factor Productivity and Tobit regression model. The findings suggested that female-headed households were 24.26% less productive than their fellow male-headed counterparts. The results from econometric analysis showed that education, farm size, input access, non-farm income and access to market information had positive and significant effect of maize productivity while household size, market distance and group membership had negative significant effects on maize productivity among the female-headed households. On the other hand, age, input access, sub-county and road access had positive influence on maize productivity while household size had a negative effect on maize productivity among the male-headed households. From the results, the study concluded that there is gender disparity among the male and female-headed households. The findings suggest that subsidizing farm inputs to smallholder farmers while training them through extension services could help to bridge gender gaps in maize productivity among the female-headed households.

Running speed and slope effects on spatiotemporal parameters and running technology in male and female recreational runners

This study investigates the effects of speed and incline on spatiotemporal parameters (SPT) and performance-related parameters (PRT) in male and female recreational runners from the perspective of biomechanics. It aims to uncover the underlying biomechanical mechanisms governing human running motion under different conditions. 37 healthy adults (18 males and 19 females) who regularly performed running exercises were recruited as research participants. The speed test included five speeds (8, 9, 10, 11, 12 km/h), each for 1 min with 1-min rest intervals (9 min total). The incline test was at 10 km/h with inclines of 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%, each for 1 min with 1-min rest intervals (7 min total). Video was captured at 240 fps, with sampling times of 45 s to 1 min. A mixed-design two-way ANOVA assessed the effects of speed on spatiotemporal and technique variables with gender interactions. From a biomechanical standpoint, changes in speed can significantly impact the runners’ stride length and stride frequency. Faster speeds typically require greater muscular force generation and coordination, which in turn can affect the spatiotemporal characteristics of running. The results showed that there were significant differences between genders and speeds in PRT, but no significant differences in SPT. This could be attributed to the varying physiological and biomechanical characteristics between males and females. Males generally possess greater muscle mass and strength, which may allow them to generate more power at higher speeds, resulting in different performance-related parameter values. There were no significant differences between genders and slopes in SPT and PRT. These findings corroborate previous studies and provide a deeper understanding of SPT and PRT characteristics in male and female runners. Future research should explore differences across various populations and include downhill running to understand gender differences in running performance fully. Downhill running involves different biomechanical challenges, such as increased knee flexion and eccentric muscle contractions, which may lead to distinct performance differences between genders. By expanding the scope of research in this way, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the biomechanics of human running.

Anxiety and mental toughness in football players: a study of the Kerala Premier League and women's Kerala Premier League

Background: Competitive anxiety and mental toughness are critical psychological factors influencing athletic performance. However, research on these traits among professional footballers in regional leagues like the Kerala Premier League (KPL) and Women's Kerala Premier League (WKPL) remains limited. Under-standing gender differences and the role of competitive experience can inform targeted mental training strategies.Objective: This study ex-amined gender differences in sports competitive anxiety and mental toughness among professional foot-ballers in the KPL and WKPL. It also explored the relationship between competitive experience, anxiety, and mental toughness.Methodology: A cross-sectional, quantitative design was employed. Using purposive sampling, 64 professional footballers (32 males from KPL and 32 females from WKPL) aged 17–24 years with at least one year of competitive experience were selected. Standardized psychological assessments measured sports competitive anxiety and mental toughness. Independent samples t-tests analyzed gender differences, while Pearson correlation assessed associations between experience, anxiety, and mental toughness. Statistical significance was set at p < .001.Results: Female players exhibited higher competitive anxiety, while male players demonstrated greater mental toughness. Competitive experience correlated with lower anxiety and higher mental toughness. A significant inverse relationship was observed between anxiety and mental toughness.Conclusion: The findings highlight gender disparities in psychological resilience, underscoring the role of experience in reducing anxiety and enhancing mental toughness. Struc-tured, gender-specific psychological interventions are essential for optimizing football per-formance in regional leagues.

Peran Orang tua Dalam Mengenalkan Pendidikan Seks Pada Anak Usia Dini

Sexual education in early childhood does not mean teaching how to have sexual relations, but rather explaining the human body's organs, their functions, and how to care for and maintain them. The presentation is carried out in stages, starting from introducing body parts and reproductive organs and their functions, understanding gender differences, separating children's beds, to teaching the importance of protecting their private parts and eyes. This research applies a qualitative descriptive method involving five parents as subjects, who have children aged 3–5 years in the Perum Griya Permata Alam Kanigoro environment, Blitar Regency. Data was collected through observation, interviews and documentation. Observations were carried out directly to identify the strategies used by parents in introducing sexual education to their children and the way they communicate with their children. Data analysis was carried out using triangulation techniques, which included data reduction, data presentation, verification and drawing conclusions. The research results show that parents apply various strategies in introducing sexual education to children, including: 1) introducing gender differences, 2) introducing sexual organs, 3) teaching toilet training, and 4) instilling shame.

Gender Differences in Self-Reported Social Participation in Adults With Autism.

There is a lack of research on gender differences in adults' with autism participation in social activities (i.e., activities that provide interactions with others in the community). Using a large statewide sample (N = 775, 217 females and 558 males), we examined gender differences in the social participation of adults with autism while considering the presence of an intellectual disability (ID). No gender differences were found in total participation days. However, women with autism without ID reported participating in lower percentages of social activities that were important to them and perceiving sufficient participation in lower percentages of these important social activities than their male counterparts. They also reported lower satisfaction with participation level (i.e., perceived sufficiency in participation in important social activities) in social activities that were important to them than women with autism with ID. Implications of findings for understanding gender differences in autism across the life course are discussed.

Microcredit and Women’s Financial Empowerment: Insights from Brazilian Crediamigo Microcredit Program

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to estimate the impact of Crediamigo Microcredit Program in Brazil on the financial situation of its recipients and investigate potential gender differences. Study design: We use secondary data from the socioeconomic registry of Crediamigo, considering the active clients of the Program until 2021. Our identification strategy consists of using the Difference-in-Differences method. Findings: The findings indicate that sustained participation in the program results in an average increase in operating profit, non-operating revenue, and payment capacity. Despite less favorable initial conditions and a lower average loan value, women experience significantly greater impacts. Contributions: The main contribution focuses on using unique characteristics of Crediamigo to understand gender differences in financial performance. Implications: By showcasing the benefits for female entrepreneurs, the findings offer valuable insights for more targeted financial initiatives and policies that bridge gender gaps and better serve female entrepreneurs.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of parental mentalization in fathers and mothers.

Despite the growing literature on parental mentalization (including measures such as mind-mindedness, parental reflective functioning, and parental insightfulness), considerably less research on parental mentalization has been conducted with fathers than with mothers, leaving important gaps in our understanding of gender differences in the construct. Specifically, it is not clear whether mothers and fathers exhibit similar levels of parental mentalization, and whether their scores are correlated. This knowledge can help inform the literature on similarities and differences between maternal and paternal behaviors, as well as the literature on their correlates. This study sought to answer these questions using a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating parental mentalization capacities in partnered mothers and fathers. Across 36 studies (32 unique samples and 87 effect sizes, N=3,996 fathers and 4,414 mothers), mainly from Europe and North America, the results show that fathers presented lower scores than mothers (d=-.17, p<.001). There was also a significant correlation in scores between mothers and fathers of the same family (r=.15, p<.001). There were no significant moderators. Findings from this study emphasize the need for research on parental mentalization to use a family system approach.

Gender differences in entrepreneurial equity financing—a systematic literature review

A growing body of literature explores whether and why female and male entrepreneurs differ in their access to equity financing. This trend has led to an increasing fragmentation of the research field, as many studies analyze various mechanisms and focus on a certain form of equity financing. To advance research on gender differences in equity financing, it is necessary to identify patterns and inconsistent findings in the literature related to these mechanisms. Therefore, we perform a systematic literature review to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on gender differences in the key forms of entrepreneurial equity financing (venture capital, angel investment, and equity crowdfunding). Based on 75 studies from 2001 to mid-2024, our review indicates that male entrepreneurs have an advantage in raising capital from venture capitalists and business angels, whereas female entrepreneurs are more successful in equity crowdfunding. These gender differences stem from a complex combination of mechanisms, which we categorize into four thematic dimensions that capture entrepreneurs’ characteristics, investors’ characteristics, the ventures’ characteristics and strategies, and contextual factors. We propose specific future research directions for each dimension, and discuss theoretical and methodological research opportunities that are applicable across dimensions to improve our understanding of gender differences in equity financing.

Understanding Gender Differences in Digital Readiness During Digital Transformation in Accounting Functions: Accounting Professionals' Perspective

Understanding Gender Differences in Digital Readiness During Digital Transformation in Accounting Functions: Accounting Professionals' Perspective

Understanding Gender Differences In Safety Climate Among Workers In Chemical Plants

Understanding Gender Differences In Safety Climate Among Workers In Chemical Plants