Sex Differences and Gender Diversity in Stress Responses and Allostatic Load Among Workers and LGBT People

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

Abstract: Measuring biological sex differences and socio-cultural gender diversity provides insights into individual variation in stress physiology and the development of “sex-specific” diseases. Purpose of Review: In this selective review, we summarize recent findings that assess sex and gender in relation to the stress hormone cortisol and multi-systemic physiological dysregulation called allostatic load. The focus of this research centers on workers as well as sexual and gender minorities as these populations provide unique insights into sex and gender at various levels of analysis from the micro-level to the macro-level. Recent Findings: Male/female sex, sex hormones, gender identity, gender roles, and sexual orientation are all variables that are distinctly correlated with stress physiology. Beyond identifying patterns of vulnerability to stress-related diseases, pathways towards resilience are of high priority in emerging literature. Summary: Stress scientists must account for both sex and gender in biobehavioral research. Future directions should assess macro-level constructs like institutionalized gender, occupational sex composition, and structural stigma to better understand the social determinants of health.

Original languageEnglish
Article number110
JournalCurrent Psychiatry Reports
Volume21
Issue number11
ISSN1523-3812
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

    Research areas

  • Allostatic load, Biological sex, Chronic stress, Cortisol, Resilience, Socio-cultural gender

ID: 393780198