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Gender and Helping Networks among Day Hospital and Senior Centre Participants*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Neena L. Chappell
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Alexander Segall
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Doris G. Lewis
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba

Abstract

This paper examines gender differences in helping networks for three different illness situations (common ailments, hypothetical short-term health emergencies, and functional disability) among participants attending day hospitals and senior centres in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The findings show that women are more likely than men to receive assistance from family members other than a spouse and to receive assistance from friends as well. Gender emerged as a significant correlate of who helped, even when controlling for availability of that person, extent of the illness, other health factors, and social network characteristics.

Réesumé

Cet article examine les différences de sexe qui existent au sein des réseaux d'entraide pour ce qui est de trois différents genres de maladies (malaises usuels, les cas d'urgence hypothétiques affectant la santé à court terme, et incapacité fonctionnelle) chez les personnes qui séjournent dans des hôpitaux de jour et dans des foyers d'accueil à Winnipeg au Manitoba. Selon les résultats, les femmes ont plus de chances de recevoir l'aide de la famille, excluant un époux, et elles bénéficient plus des services offerts par leurs amies. Le sexe est done devenu lié étroitement à qui assistait, même lorsqu'on tenait compte de la disponibilité de cette personne, de la durée de la maladie, et d'autres facteurs de santé ainsi que des particularités du réseau social.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1990

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