Sex, gender, and blood pressure: Contributions to experimental pain report

Objective: The current study investigated whether the relationship between sex and experimental pain report was explained by systolic blood pressure ( SBP) at rest or during pain task, by gender-role socialization as assessed by the Bern Sex Role Inventory, or both. The influence of gender-role socia lization on pain report is often inferred but rarely studied. Methods: Fift y female and 54 male healthy, young adults completed the Bern Sex Role Inve ntory and then underwent a cold pressor task. Blood pressure was assessed b efore and during pain testing. Results: Univariate analyses indicated signi ficant sex-related differences in pain threshold and pain tolerance. Baseli ne SBP was positively related to pain tolerance but did not explain sex dif ferences, in accord with previous research. The Bem Sex Role Inventory demo nstrated a relationship with pain, but did not explain sex differences. Con clusions: We suggest that context-specific measures of gender are needed to assess gender-related pain behaviors in specific situations. Results from the current study support our contention that gender is part of sex as comm only measured. Also, blood pressure does not appear to fully account for se x-related differences in pain.