Gender Differences^

Question 1

Coping Mechanisms

Answer 1

Lazarus & Folkman
- men: problem-focused = deal with cause
- women: emotion-focused = deal with anxiety associated
Peterson et al
- reviewed CM of infertile men and women
- women: accept blame = avoidance tactics
- men: make plans = research

Question 2

Tend & Befriend

Answer 2

men and women have diff physio. responses
Taylor et al
- men: fight or flight / women: T & B
- evolutionary disadv for women to have F&F as it may leave the kids to flee or flight
tend = protect, nurture kids
befriend = seek support

Question 3

Luckow et al

Answer 3

meta analysis of 26 studies of GD in seeking and using social response to cope with stress
women more likely to use it in 25/26 studies
women favoured T&B more than men

Question 4

Lewis & Linder

Answer 4

befriending is selective (usually with other women)
most women in their study waited for support from women when stressed, men don’t

Question 5

Oxytocin

Answer 5

T&B response is driven but it
- hormone that promotes goodwill with others and has a role in baby attachment formation
helps body recover quicker for stressor

Question 6

Taylor et al

Answer 6

more oxytocin - less cortisol in females
quicker recovery of HPA system after stressed
oestrogen increases effect of oxytocin but androgen decreases it
oxytocin is stronger in F = reduced stress response

Question 7

Emotion & Problem Focused

Answer 7

no clear distinction between CM
Peterson et al
- found diff in men and women’s responses IVF
- but similarities > diff
- both use CM that can’t be classified as EF or PF
both use social support for diff reasons
- gain info or comfort

Question 8

Research Support

Answer 8

Tamers et al
meta analysis of 26 studies: men VS women’s CM
- women use social support from network, nurture
women more likely to receive social support when stressed which decreases neg effect

Question 9

VS Research Support

Answer 9

fight or flight can be more adaptive for P than T&B
Taylor et al
- protecting kids can require fight or flight
- oxytocin is an adaptive stress response for men too

Question 10

Retrospective Data

Answer 10

studies of EF and PF coping involve retrospective recallRidder- women use EF coping more than men
: only when P recall retrospectively
- used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to record beh
: P report CM as they happen
: GD disappeared with this method
GD may depend on the recall of P

Question 11

Gender or Stressor?

Answer 11

GD in CM may not be due to bio diff but rather the diff in type of stressors
women - more relations related issues - need the EF approach