LEARNED HELPLESSNESS AND ASTHMA RELATED MORBIDITY: EXPLORING THE GENDER DIFFERENCES

Abstract

Gender as a variable in experiencing psychological capabilities and deficiencies has shown varied results, it is ambiguous. This study investigates the relationship between learned helplessness and asthma related morbidity in relation to the gender variable. The objective was to study the impact of psychological factor like learned helplessness on asthmatics and non-asthmatics and understand the gender differences if any. The study adopted a 2(asthmatics v/s non-asthmatics) X 2(males’ v/s females) factorial design. Two hundred and forty adults (120 with asthma and 120 without asthma) participated in the study. Out of 120 asthmatics there were 60 males and 60 females. Further 60 males and 60 females not suffering from asthma were taken All the participants were compared with respect to learned helplessness. Three aspects of learned helplessness that is internality, stability and globality were studied. The results indicated that asthmatics scored more in all the three negative aspects of learned helplessness. As far as gender difference is concerned females viewed negative events to be more internal, stable and global compared to males. Males viewed positive events to be more internal, stable and global.

Keywords: learned helplessness, asthma, gender difference