Gender Differences in Somatic Symptoms and Sleep Problems: The Mediating Effects of Financial Stress

Abstract

Women are more likely than men to experience financial stress, somatic symptoms, and sleep problems, yet the reasons why are unclear. This thesis focuses on the relationships among financial stress and gender differences in somatic symptoms and sleep problems via an analysis of National Comorbidity Survey data. Results support previous findings that women are more likely to experience financial stress, somatic symptoms, and sleep problems, but financial stress does not mediate the associations between gender and somatic symptoms, or between gender and sleep problems. However, financial stress does moderate the associations between gender and somatic symptoms, and between gender and sleep problems, suggesting that the effect of not having enough money on these outcomes is greater for women than for men. The implications of these results for interventions and for future research are discussed in the context of the limitations of the study and the current economic climate.