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The influence of gender on self-reporting of respiratory symptoms

University of British Columbia

The American Thoracic Society Questionnaire (ATSQ), an epidemiological questionnaire that is widely used in North America to gather self-reported respiratory symptom data, was recently revised and released for further validity testing. Reviews o f gender and respiratory disease have revealed potential gender differences in self-reported respiratory symptoms, specifically phlegm and dyspnea. The purpose of this study was to describe the cognitive processes that men and women engaged in when responding to ATSQ questions and to compare these processes for potential differences between men and women and to suggest improvements to the ATSQ based on this analysis. This study generated an emergent conceptual model based on semi-structured individual interviews with 20 male and 20 female Coastal Marine Transportation Workers. The findings of the study suggest that respondents interpreted ATSQ questions, reflexively noticed ATSQ symptoms, and integrated their interpretations and experiences to formulate a response. Respondents who clearly defined themselves as either healthy or unhealthy with regards to ATSQ symptoms easily formulated their responses. Conversely, respondents who experienced tension between their interpretations of questions, reflexive noticing of symptoms, and self-identity as healthy or unhealthy, struggled to provide accurate responses. While the response processes were similar for men and women, gendered work environments and the masculine nature of expectorating phlegm emerged as factors that differentially influenced men's and women's responses. It is recommended that revisions be made to the ATSQ to help mitigate tensions experienced by some respondents when formulating their symptom responses.

Text

2010-01-08

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/17913

Health Care and Epidemiology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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