Health Behaviors and Social Roles among Mature Men and Women

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between gender, social roles, age, education, number of health problems, and health behaviors in mature adults. Data from a national study focus on women and men ages 54 to 64. Analyses indicate that women are more likely to avoid risk-taking health behaviors; in particular, men are more likely to report that they drink alcohol. There were no gender differences in promotive health behaviors or cancer detection behaviors. Further analyses focus on the relationship of two social roles (marital and employment status), demographic variables (gender, age, education), and number of health problems on promotive health behaviors, risk avoidance behaviors, and cancer detection behaviors. Social roles are related to health behaviors as follows: employed women are less likely to report cancer detection behaviors than are unemployed women; married men are more likely to engage in risk avoidance behaviors than are unmarried men. Demographic comparisons indicate that education and to some extent, age, are associated with promotive health behaviors. Men and women with health problems are more likely to engage in cancer detection behaviors. The small sample size, however, suggests caution in the interpretation and generalization of these findings.