Sex differences in symptoms of posttraumatic stress: does culture play a role
Abstract
Abstract If gender differences in posttraumatic stress disorder follow from culturally‐defined roles and rules, they should be greater in societies that foster traditional views of masculinity and femininity than in societies that adhere to these traditions less rigidly. Data were collected 6 months after Hurricanes Paulina (Acapulco; N = 200) and Andrew (Miami; White n = 135; Black n = 135). In regression analyses predicting scores on the Revised Civilian Mississippi Scale, Sex × Cultural Group interactions emerged for the total scale and for subscales of Intrusion, Avoidance, and Remorse. Only a sex main effect (women higher) emerged for Arousal. Overall, the results indicated that Mexican culture amplified, whereas African American culture attenuated, differences in the posttraumatic stress of male and female disaster victims.
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- Authors
- Norris, F. H., Perilla, J. L., Ibañez, G. E., & Murphy, A. D.
- Affiliations
- Georgia State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Norris, Fran H.
- ORCID
- Ibañez, Gladys E.
- Venue
- Journal of Traumatic Stress
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2001-01
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 7-28
- ISSN
- 0894-9867 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-6598
- OpenAlex
- W2004104942
- Cited by
- 174
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 7.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Traumatic Stress (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Security, and Conflict
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, sex differences, gender differences, cultural influence, Hurricane Andrew, disaster victims, Mexican culture, African American culture, masculinity, femininity, intrusion, avoidance, remorse, arousal
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