Psychological Gender of Men With Systolic Heart Failure

Abstract

Diminished exercise capacity is a fundamental symptom of heart failure (HF), which is particularly disadvantageous for men for whom exercise capacity contributes significantly to their gender identity, self-esteem, and quality of life. In this study, we aimed to examine whether psychological gender would be different in men with systolic HF as compared with their healthy peers. The authors examined 48 men with systolic HF (age = 64 ± 10 years; body mass index = 28.3 ± 3.4 kg/m2; NYHA I/II/III [%] = 25/65/10; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] = 32.1 ± 7.8%) and 15 age-matched healthy men. Based on the results of the Polish version of the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the examined men were divided into four types of psychological gender: “masculine” (M), “feminine” (F), “unspecified” (U), and “androgynous” (A). None of the men with HF presented M type of psychological gender, whereas this type was found in 27% of the healthy men ( p = .0002). The prevalence of both A (38% vs. 47%) and F (10% vs. 20%, both p > .05) types of psychological gender was similar between men with HF versus without HF. More men with HF fulfilled the criteria of the U type of psychological gender as compared with healthy peers (51% vs. 7%, p = .002). Men with HF and the F type of psychological gender were treated with spironolactone more frequently than those classified with the U and A types (both p < .05). The lack of “psychologically masculine” and the overrepresentation of “psychologically unspecified” gender types in the HF group suggests that psychological gender may be affected among men with HF.

Men With a Terminal Illness Relax Their Criteria for Facial Attractiveness

“…The above interpretation corresponds with a previous analysis of psychological gender of patients with HF (Makowska et al, 2014), showing that none of the men with HF had masculine type of psychological gender. For example, male patients with HF did not perceive themselves as "independent," "dominant," "masculine," "aggressive," "competitive," or "ambitious."…”

“…For example, male patients with HF did not perceive themselves as "independent," "dominant," "masculine," "aggressive," "competitive," or "ambitious." This may be a result of withdrawal from the "matrimonial market," as a consequence of the disease, rather than other processes (e.g., aging), as healthy, age-matched controls did exhibit typical features of masculine psychological gender (Makowska et al, 2014). Similarly, in the present study, although the control group consisted of agematched participants, the perception of facial attractiveness of patients with HF was significantly different from that of healthy men.…”

Using the Bem and Klein Grid Scores to Predict Health Services Usage by Men

“…Previous research has noted that it is the prolonged experience of chronic disease which may result in men shifting from a masculine to a more neutral sex role, not the experience of an acute episode that is successfully treated. 14 For men with chronic diseases, researchers have suggested a masculinity perspective for Black men living with diabetes as a way to understand how “being male” impacts both gender-based risk factors as well as treatment adherence and patient education. 46 …”

“…12,13 Current literature also suggests that there is an impact of disease on the “psychological gender” of male patients. 14 In a study of men with systolic heart failure that used the Bem Sex Roles Inventory 14 , researchers found that diagnosed men were more likely to identify as “unspecific” or “androgynous” compared to healthy peers, who were more likely to present as masculine psychological gender. Middle-aged men may find value in their work and in masculine behaviors such as stoicism, while older men may find that their ability to sustain masculine ideals becomes increasingly difficult.…”