Researching Sex and Gender in Food Allergy : An Integrative Framework

1. Researching Sex and Gender in Food Allergy : An Integrative Framework Audrey DunnGalvin; Jonathan O’B.Hourihane; Ineke Klinge.

2. Gaps in sex/gender research on food allergy. - Biological vulnerability - Exposure to health risks - Perception of symptoms - Evaluation of risk - Information processing - Role expectations

3. How: Practical Examples ? • Gender and sex routinely identified in sampling : • Agreed Terminology • Stratification by sex and age • Interdisciplinary and integrative research : • Methodology • Shared knowledge • Support Systems : • Policy and research links • Training • Database

4. Mechanisms that underpin sex/gender differences in health • A bi-directional relationship • Are experience dependent • Are multi-determined

5. An Integrative Framework ? • Health as a dynamic, multifactorial phenomenon that influences physical, psychological and social functioning. • Developing systems interact, react with, and programme one another. • Promotes interdisciplinary research

6. Developmental Trajectories • Critical or sensitive periods are those stages of functional development when a regulatory pathway is being constructed or modified. • The developing child/adolescent is particularly sensitive to favourable or unfavourable environmental factors.

7. The complex interaction between nature and nurture • Research on adolescents shows that girls, compared to boys, are at an increased risk for psychological disturbance, including internalising behaviour problems • and poorer self-concept during the transition phase from childhood to adolescence.

8. Focus Groups with children aged 6-12 years.

9. “Living with a food allergy: An exploration of children’s views and experiences”. • Gender differences in coping strategies were particularly pronounced for children >8 years. • Girls have high levels of anxiety and adopt avoidant behaviour • Boys tend to become defiant, use minimisation as a coping strategy and adopt risky behaviours.

10. A critical point in development. • We identified a critical point in the food allergy specific developmental trajectory occurs when children learn or feel that they cannot prevent a reaction from occurring. • Direct and indirect effects on emotional adjustment, coping strategies, risk and safety, symptom perception, and overall QoL.

11. Future Research • Integrative longitudinal studies examining life course effects. • Data collected during biological, psychological and social transitions. • Describe the specific bio-behavioural pathways that link social context with health outcomes for both men and women.