Research
Relationship between gender role, anger expression, thermal discomfort and sleep onset latency in women
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* Corresponding author: Kurt Kräuchi kurt.kraeuchi@upkbs.ch
1 Thermophysiological Chronobiology, Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric University Clinics, Wilhelm Klein Strasse 27, 4025 Basel, Switzerland
2 Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 60/62, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
3 Institute of Social & Preventive Medicine, University of Basel, Steinengraben 49, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
4 University Eye Clinic, Mittlere Strasse 91, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
BioPsychoSocial Medicine 2009, 3:11 doi:10.1186/1751-0759-3-11
Published: 13 October 2009Abstract
Background
Women with thermal discomfort from cold extremities (hands and feet; TDCE) often suffer from prolonged sleep onset latency (SOL). Suppressed anger could contribute to the genesis of both TDCE and prolonged SOL. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis whether stereotypic feminine gender socialization (SFGS) is related to anger suppression (experienced anger inwards, Anger-In), which in turn could affect TDCE and SOL.
Methods
148 women, a sub-sample of a larger survey carried out in the Canton Basel-Stadt (Switzerland), sent back detailed postal questionnaires about SOL, TDCE, anger expression (STAXI, state -trait -anger -expression -inventory) and SFGS using a gender power inventory, estimating the degree of gender specific power expression explicitly within women by stereotypic feminine or male attribution. Statistics was performed by path analysis.
Results
A significant direct path was found from stereotypic feminine attribution to Anger-In and prolonged SOL. Additionally, a further indirect path from Anger-In via TDCE to SOL was found. In contrast, stereotypic male attribution was not related to Anger-In but was significantly associated with outwardly expressed anger.
Limitations
Self-reported data, retrospective cross-sectional survey, prospective studies are required including physiological measurements.
Conclusion
Stereotypic feminine gender socialization may play an important determinant for anger suppression, which subsequently can lead to thermal discomfort from cold extremities and prolonged sleep onset latency.