Gender differences in physician stress.

Differences in perceived stressors in medical practice were identified in this study of 72 male and female physicians. Although both men and women physicians felt pressured by the amount of time demanded by their profession, women had the additional pressure of family obligations. Male physicians were most distressed by relationships with patients, the inability to cure, and the threat of malpractice. Female physicians, on the other hand, were more likely to be concerned about the responsibility inherent in the doctor's role. Although physicians have many similar attitudes and behaviors because of their professional socialization, their reactions to the pressures of medical practice are also influenced by sex-role socialization. Norms and traits appropriate to each gender affect the way in which male and female physicians experience objective conditions in the work environment.