Do Scores on the BEM Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (KSOG) Predict Use of Health Services?

Background: Little research has been done on the assessment of sex roles and use of health services; it is hypothesized that higher levels of femininity may be associated with use of health services and self-care in men.

Method:  The Bem Sex Roles Inventory and the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid were completed by a community-based sample (N=97) in addition to the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA) and the Health Services and Insurance Questionnaire (HSIQ) which elicited information on use of health services in the past year, 3 months, and past month and knowledge of the Affordable Care Act.  The RBA elicits demographic as well as sex and drug risk information; the BSRA classifies characteristics into masculine, feminine or neutral sex roles.  The KSOG rates individuals on seven variables of sexual orientation across past, present and ideal behavior. 

Results: The majority were male (n=53) and African American (n=43) with a mean age of 39 years (SD=13.97). BSRI scores on masculinity were negatively correlated with use of emergency department services (r=-.29, p=.04).  Use of inpatient services was negatively correlated with both feminine (r=-.33, p=.04) and neutral sex roles (r=-.44, p=.01).  Use of outpatient clinic services was associated with masculine sex roles (r=.30, p=.05).  The majority (62%) reported they knew what the ACA is, however, for those with no health insurance the majority (78%) reported that they were not trying to get it.  Men were more likely to answer "maybe" to the question of whether the respondent knew what the ACA was.

Conclusions: The finding that masculine sex roles were correlated with greater numbers of outpatient clinic services bears further investigation as it is contrary to hypothesized relationships.