Irene Göttgens

Gender Aware PD Care 161 6 necessarily related to how strongly participants identified with- and were committed to their masculinity or femininity. Table 3 provides an overview of the gender stereotypes and norms mentioned by the participants, in order of prevalence, reflecting the relative saturation level of each item across the focus groups. Table 2. Pre-workshop survey results of the participants Domain Overall (N=28) Men (n=13) Women (n=15) Previous topic knowledge or experience (No) (n (%)) 22 (85) 12 (92) 10 (77) Importance of Gender Sensitivity in PD score (Mean (SD)) 3.8 (0.9) 3.7 (0.8) 3.9 (1.0) Hoffmans’ Gender Self-Confidence Score (Mean (SD)) 4.1 (1.1) 3.9 (0.8) 4.2 (1.3) Gender self-definition 3.9 (1.3) 3.7 (1.0) 4.0 (1.5) Gender self-acceptance 4.3 (1.1) 4.2 (0.8) 4.4 (1.2) N-GAMS Gender Sensitivity score ((Mean (SD)* 3.8 (0.5) 3.5 (0.4) 4.1 (0.5) N-GAMS Gender Role Ideology towards Doctors score (Mean (SD)) 2.7 (0.5) 2.7 (0.4) 2.6 (0.6) N-GAMS Gender Role Ideology towards Patients score (Mean (SD))* 2.3 (0.4) 2.5 (0.4) 2.2 (0.4) * p < 0.05 indicates statistical significance Among the men with PD, there was an internalised sense of gendered stereotypes related to “Men should be strong”. Men should have the ability to be independent, be physically and mentally strong and perform well in sports and sexually. PD motor- and nonmotor symptoms impact these abilities, resulting in feelings of loss of control, confidence, and independence. At multiple levels, men expressed a general idea related to “Men should suppress their emotions”, describing situations in which men should control their emotions, particularly in the context of crying. Men expressed the importance of asking (follow-up) questions because they often felt less inclined to share emotionally loaded experiences due to discomfort and unfamiliarity. This need is dependent on personal openness and willingness to share and experienced level of social support. The idea of “men are the providers” was related to men’s perceived responsibility as providers for their family and not becoming dependent on their (female) partner.

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