The past three decades have witnessed numerous changes with respect to the treatment of gender in research on health and quality of life, leading to research in a more inclusive direction that focuses on the experiences of women as well as men. Gender is now considered a significant determinant of health and illness and health care has become more gender-sensitive. Incorporating sex- and gender dimensions in theoretical frameworks concerning various illnesses is not only important for reasons of gender equity. Because many health problems have unequal sex prevalences, the integration of a gender perspective in theory and research is also a necessary tool in obtaining comprehensive, valid knowledge about their relevant etiological factors. The present chapter intends to: a) presenting the main perspectives that address the intrinsic interconnectedness between biological and social dimensions, which lies under gender differences in health and quality of life; and b) exploring how psychology can contribute to the emerging “gender medicine”. Some examples of how a gender perspective can be applied to investigate individuals’ quality of life will be presented.

Health and Gender Medicine from a Psychosocial Perspective

DE PICCOLI, Norma;ROLLERO Chiara
2015-01-01

Abstract

The past three decades have witnessed numerous changes with respect to the treatment of gender in research on health and quality of life, leading to research in a more inclusive direction that focuses on the experiences of women as well as men. Gender is now considered a significant determinant of health and illness and health care has become more gender-sensitive. Incorporating sex- and gender dimensions in theoretical frameworks concerning various illnesses is not only important for reasons of gender equity. Because many health problems have unequal sex prevalences, the integration of a gender perspective in theory and research is also a necessary tool in obtaining comprehensive, valid knowledge about their relevant etiological factors. The present chapter intends to: a) presenting the main perspectives that address the intrinsic interconnectedness between biological and social dimensions, which lies under gender differences in health and quality of life; and b) exploring how psychology can contribute to the emerging “gender medicine”. Some examples of how a gender perspective can be applied to investigate individuals’ quality of life will be presented.
2015
Advances in Psychology Research
Nova Publisher
105
121
128
9781634824811
gender medicine
DE PICCOLI, Norma; Rollero, Chiara
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1526369
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