Exploring the relationship between male norm beliefs, pain‐related beliefs and behaviours: An online questionnaire study

Abstract

Background Gender beliefs help explain the variation found in pain among men and women. Gender norms and expectations are thought to affect how men and women report and express pain. However, less is known about how such beliefs are related to pain outside of laboratory settings. The aim of this study was therefore to consider the relationship between beliefs in male role norms, pain and pain behaviours in men and women. Methods An online questionnaire study was conducted. A total of 468 adults (352 women), with or without pain, completed a series of self‐report measures relating to beliefs about pain and male role norms, as well as pain and general health behaviours. Results An experience of pain was associated with lower beliefs in traditional male norms. Endorsing stereotypical male norms was related to increased stigma associated with seeking professional help for pain in both men and women, but to a lesser extent associated with general health behaviours. There also seemed to be gender‐based beliefs associated with the expression of pain. Conclusions Together these findings suggest that beliefs in gender (male) norms are relevant to pain, and that there is utility in exploring the variation in pain beyond binary male–female categories.

Cognitive-Affective Transdiagnostic Factors Associated With Vulnerability to Alcohol and Prescription Opioid Use in the Context of Pain

“… 129 Considering gender as a biopsychosocial construct, 130 there is reason to suspect that men and women experience pain and substance use differently. For example, masculine norms may influence which pain-related behaviors are most common or accessible to men, 131 which is consistent with a larger literature indicating that men are more likely than women to cope with pain and anxiety by using externalizing strategies. 132 , 133 Thus, future studies that consider pharmacokinetic properties of prescription opioids and alcohol should examine sex as a biological variable, and research that investigates psychosocial and behavioral constructs should explore gender differences.…”

Association of preoperative pain beliefs with postoperative pain levels in abdominal surgery patients

“…Traditionally, men are associated with a higher pain threshold, whereas women are associated with pain sensitivity. For this reason, gender is considered an important factor affecting beliefs about pain (Keogh & Boerner, 2020). The VAS scores of female patients in this study were higher than those of male patients.…”

The gender context of pain

“…If sex and gender affect the way observers respond to those in pain, the question is whether this is due to gender-based beliefs and expectations. Empirical studies confirm the existence of stereotypical gender beliefs about pain (Bernardes, Silva, Carvalho, Costa, & Pereira, 2014;Keogh & Boerner, 2020;Keogh & Denford, 2009;Robinson, Gagnon, Dannecker, et al, 2003;Wesolowicz, Clark, Boissoneault, & Robinson, 2018;Wratten, Eccleston, & Keogh, 2019). For example, found that women are viewed as more sensitive to pain, and men less willing to report pain to others.…”

“…Similarly, Wesolowicz et al (2018) found that dentists and physicians held the view that men were less willing to report pain than women. Keogh and Boerner (2020) found that the typical man is viewed as being more likely to supress pain signals, whereas the typical women is thought to be more likely to express pain through talking and crying. Other stereotypical views also exist.…”