Investigation of the Influence of Sex- and Gender-Related Stereotypes on Individual Pain Perception of Cisgender, Transgender, and Non-Binary People

Current research shows that individual differences in pain perception are multifactorial. Most sources refer to a biopsychosocial pain model, according to which age, ethnicity, and gender play a role. The differences in pain between male and female SAAB individuals that have been observed in many studies are attributed to sex/gender, but the origin of these differences has not yet been clarified. In addition to biological components of sex/gender such as the genome or sex-associated hormones, psychosocial factors could also be a cause. These include, for example, one's own identification, expression, and socialization, which in turn is multifactorial. In particular, gender-related role expectations have been shown in past studies to influence pain sensitivity and experience. However, to date, there are no studies that include trans*gender individuals in sex/gender-sensitive pain medicine. 

The aim of the study is to analyze the influence of various psychosocial gender components on pain sensitivity, especially when these differ partially or completely from the 
sex assigned at birth. Furthermore, the study will examine how gender-related expectations change the pain experience of people of different genders. The results should enable a better understanding of pain and more individualized treatment approaches. In addition, the study contributes to reducing the gender data and health gap and to promoting gender diversity in medicine and research.

 

Aims

• Analysis on influence of various psychosocial gender components on pain sensitivity
• Examination of how gender-related expectations change the pain experience of people of different genders
• Improvement of understanding of pain and more individualized treatment approaches
• Reduction of gender data gap and gender health gap especially for trans* people