Table 1 Typology of sex S and gender G effects on a health outcome Y
Name | Definitions | Examples of counterfactual formulation |
|---|---|---|
Total effect of sex (TES) | The difference in the value of Y had the whole population been born female “S = f” versus the whole population been born male “S = m” Corresponds to the total effect of being born male (versus being born female) on Y value, whatever the mechanisms explaining these differences | \(E\left({Y}_{S=m}\right)-E\left({Y}_{S=f}\right)\) |
Socially mediated indirect effect of sex (SMIES) | The difference in the value of Y, had the sex been set to a constant level (for example “S = m”), and gender been change from Gf to Gm in the whole population Corresponds to the indirect effect of sex which is explained/ mediated by social mechanisms G | \(E\left({Y}_{S=m;G={G}_{m}}\right)-E\left({Y}_{S=m;G={G}_{f}}\right)\) |
Direct or residual effect of sex (RES) | The difference in the value of Y had the sex been changed from female “S = f” to male “S = m” in the whole population, while the gender variable been set constant to \({G}_{f}\) Corresponds to the direct effect of sex which does not pass through G | \(E\left({Y}_{S=m;G={G}_{f}}\right)-E\left({Y}_{S=f;G={G}_{f}}\right)\) |
Sex-controlled gender effect (SCGE) | The difference in the value of Y had the whole population been gendered in some way “G = f versus the other way “G = m”. Correspond to the total effect G → Y. In this case, the sex and the environment are confounding factors, it will therefore be necessary to adjust for them Corresponds to the effect on G of Y “whatever the sex” | \(E\left({Y}_{G=f}\right)-E\left({Y}_{G=m}\right)\) |