Gendered health inequalities in mental well-being? The Nordic countries in a comparative perspective

Abstract

There appears to be a similar Nordic health paradox for mental well-being outcomes as for physical health outcomes. Although there may be multiple reasons for this, continued gender equality, including sex segregation in the labour market and gendered expectations, are considered to play a part.

Gender Equality and Gender Inequalities in Self-Reported Health: A Longitudinal Study of 27 European Countries 2004 to 2016

“…Previous research has shown that gender health inequalities persist in Scandinavian countries (particularly Sweden), despite the improvement in societal gender equality. 16 This is the only cluster in which relative gender-based inequalities did not decrease after educational level and employment status were factored in, showing the limited explanatory relevance of these factors. This could be due to other structural factors such as the gender pay gap, 47 labor market segregation, 15 or women’s unfulfilled expectations of an equalitarian society.…”

“…14 These persistent inequalities may also harm women's health, through psychosocial mechanisms, by disappointing their expectations of an equal society. 16 Additionally, there is evidence showing that the Great Recession -and austerity -might have widened health inequalities. 17,18 It has been shown that women were more affected than men in countries that experienced a severe recession, especially in those that implemented austerity, such as Greece, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.…”

“…14 These persistent inequalities may also harm women’s health, through psychosocial mechanisms, by disappointing their expectations of an equal society. 16 …”

Institutions, Incorporation, and Inequality: The Case of Minority Health Inequalities in Europe

“…However, research on the association between welfare generosity and health inequalities is less conclusive (Mackenbach et al 2008). The hypothesized relationship between lower health inequalities and greater welfare state support is often not found when looking at inequalities based on employment (Bambra and Eikemo 2009), social class (Eikemo, Huisman, et al 2008), and gender (Lahelma and Arber 1994; Olafsdottir 2017).…”

“…Cross-national research has revealed that although social inequalities in health are present worldwide, the degree of health inequality varies across contexts. For instance, researchers have uncovered substantial between-country variation in the magnitude of the relationship between low socioeconomic status (SES) and high morbidity and mortality, as well as cross-national variation in gendered health patterns (Bambra et al 2009; Doorslaer and Koolman 2004; Elo 2009; Huisman, Lenthe, and Mackenbach 2007; Kunst et al 2005; Olafsdottir 2017). However, much less is known about the cross-national variability of health outcomes and health inequalities tied to ethnicity, race, or migration status.…”