M. Pilar Sánchez-López

Health and Gender in Female-Dominated Occupations: The Case of Male Nurses

The goal of this work is to examine the differential impact that carrying out nursing tasks may have on the health of male nurses who perform their work in female-dominated occupation, and the modulating effect of their conformity to male gender norms. Our study includes 98 male nurses and 98 female nurses, from the University Hospital of Getafe, (in Madrid). The participants completed sociodemographic questionnaire, physical health and Self-perceived Job Satisfaction questionnaires, the GHQ-12, and the Conformity to Gender Norms Questionnaires (CMNI). In general, the male nurses enjoy better health than the female nurses in the variables analyzed. With regard to conformity to masculine gender norms, they show lower conformity to the traditional masculine gender norms than men from the general population. However, the relation of the studied health variables with conformity to masculine gender norms shows classic pattern of habitual health in the men.

Differential Personality Styles in Men and Women

The authors approached women’s and men’s personality styles within a gender socialization framework, as it appears that personality operates differently for males and females not only as a function of their sex but also as a function of their conformity to gender norms and roles. In total, 604 college students (202 men and 402 women) completed the Millon Index of Personality Styles, and the women also completed the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory. Significant sex differences in personality emerged. However, the number and magnitude differed as a function of women’s conformity to feminine norms to the extent that, in the case of the lower conformity group, the differences between women and men decreased. Conformity to feminine norms also explained from 4% to 33% of the variance in each personality style. The findings support previous research and highlight the importance of studying gender differences and gender roles on the effects of personality.

The GHQ-12 for the Assessment of Psychological Distress of Family Caregivers

This study examined the utility of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to assess the psychological distress of family caregivers. To accomplish this goal, a sample of 172 caregivers, 25 men and 147 women, aged 56.6 (SD = 13.7) completed self-report questionnaires and provided data on demographic factors. Univariate and bivariate models adjust adequately, although the two-factor model (anxiety/depression and social dysfunction) presented a better fit. Relative caregivers scored higher in psychological distress (anxiety and depression levels) on the GHQ-12 than did the normal population. In conclusion, the GHQ-12 is a sensitive instrument to detect the presence of anxiety and depression in relative caregivers, and the external validity of the instrument is generally adequate. The GHQ-12 seems particularly appropriate for research and clinical and health intervention in caregivers. Implications and limitations of these results are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.

Gender, Health, and Initiation of Breastfeeding

The aim of this study was to explore the associations of health, gender, and motherhood with the decisions about breastfeeding. The sample consisted of 265 pregnant women (mean age: 32.34, SD: 4.01 years) who were recruited in healthcare centers and hospitals in southeast Spain between 2010 and 2011. Mental health was measured by the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire and gender by the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory. Women in our sample showed a higher conformity to gender norms than women surveyed in the adaptation of the inventory to the Spanish population (t = 11.25, p < 0.001, effect estimate (Cohen’s d) = 0.59). After adjustment for covariates, women who exclusively breastfed did not differ significantly in their conformity to gender norms from those who used partial breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Although good, our expectant mothers had worse mental health than the women aged 15–44 years in the Spanish National Health Survey (t = 2.96, p < 0.001, d = 0.26). Those who partially breastfed had significantly better mental health values. Gender norms were modulators in a model of factors related to initiation of breastfeeding. This study provides information about health and social construction of gender norms.

IMPACT ON PERSONALITY LOSS OR SEPARATION FROM LOVED ONES

ABSTRACT The purpose of this work was twofold: (a) using a set of 29 psychological variables to study the personality traits, emotions, and coping styles that emerge with more force in the stressing situation of losing a loved one and (b) determining whether there are significant differences between divorced and widowed persons. The results revealed a profile predominated by emotional instability, introversion, a disorganized lifestyle, anxiety, anger, and maladaptive strategies. This configuration was more pronounced in the group of widowed people because of their notable isolation, lack of motivation, and strong emotional reactions of depression, which, together with their high rate of negative coping behaviors (e.g., ceasing to seek solutions and social support), are risk factors for depression, mood disorders, and anxiety as well as avoidant or depressive personality traits.

Clinical efficacy of psychoeducational interventions with family caregivers

ABSTRACT The goal of this study is to investigate the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions geared to reducing psychological distress for caregivers in a sample of 90 family caregivers of elderly dependent (78 women and 12 men). We conducted an analysis of the statistical and clinical significance of the changes observed in psychological health before and after a psychoeducational intervention in two therapeutic modalities: one in a face-to-face group format (n = 69), and another in a distance format (n = 21). Bivariate correlations and regression analysis were performed to analyze the relationship between the predictive variables and the score on mental health changes. The results obtained suggest that the benefits of psychoeducational interventions on caregivers’ distress, regardless of the therapeutic modality, is of clinical importance. Caregiver burden was the best predictor of improvement after psychoeducational interventions, with lower work satisfaction being particularly noticeable.