Traditionalism: A Link Between Social Structure and Health Status in Brazil    

Patricia Paine, MS, D. Litt. et Phil 

Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that social structure is associated with Brazilian women's gender- role attitudes which influence health-related behaviors which in turn determine perceived health status. Methods: Ninety-five middle-class women, 135 domestic servants, and 142 slum inhabitants between 25 and 45 years of age were studied using the Traditional Sex-Role Attitudes Scale, the Health Related Behavior Questionnaire, and a single-question measure of perceived health status. Results: Path analysis showed that socioeconomic group affected perceived health status indirectly via traditional gender role attitudes and health-related behaviors. Conclusion: These findings support Williams' thesis that health behaviors and attitudinal variables are the mediators between socioeconomic class and health.

Am J Health Behav 1998;22(3):186-192