Research Article

Examining ambivalent sexism and gender awareness among medical students

Volume: 48 Number: 2 June 30, 2026
EN TR

Examining ambivalent sexism and gender awareness among medical students

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the ambivalent sexism and gender awareness levels of medical students who will serve society as future physicians and to examine the relationship between these two attitudes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 404 medical students between May 15, 2025, and June 10, 2025. A sociodemographic data form, the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), and the Nijmegen Gender Awareness in Medicine Scale (N-GAMS) were used. Results: Of the students, 57.7% were female, and the mean age was 22.2±2.8 years. The students' mean scores were 3.1 ± 1.1 for hostile sexism, 3.2 ± 1.1 for protective sexism, 4.1 ± 0.5 for gender sensitivity, 2.7 ± 0.9 for gender-role ideology towards patients, and 2.7 ± 0.9 for gender-role ideology towards physicians. There was a high positive correlation between gender-role ideology towards patients and physicians and each of the sub-dimensions of the ASI (hostile and protective sexism) (p < 0.001 for each). Conclusion: This study reveals the clinical significance of the relationship between gender discrimination and gender awareness among medical students. It is believed that structured gender education integrated into the medical education curriculum will contribute to students providing equitable and ethical healthcare free from clinical biases.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval (Decision no. 2025-04/09, Date: 24.04.2025) from the Sivas Cumhuriyet University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee was received for the study. The participants were informed about the study, and their informed consent was obtained.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

General Practice

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

March 27, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 48 Number: 2

APA
Akova, İ., Fincan, E., & Cankı, C. (2026). Examining ambivalent sexism and gender awareness among medical students. Cumhuriyet Medical Journal, 48(2), 61-68. https://doi.org/10.7197/cmj.1916724
AMA
1.Akova İ, Fincan E, Cankı C. Examining ambivalent sexism and gender awareness among medical students. CMJ. 2026;48(2):61-68. doi:10.7197/cmj.1916724
Chicago
Akova, İrem, Emine Fincan, and Candan Cankı. 2026. “Examining Ambivalent Sexism and Gender Awareness Among Medical Students”. Cumhuriyet Medical Journal 48 (2): 61-68. https://doi.org/10.7197/cmj.1916724.
EndNote
Akova İ, Fincan E, Cankı C (June 1, 2026) Examining ambivalent sexism and gender awareness among medical students. Cumhuriyet Medical Journal 48 2 61–68.
IEEE
[1]İ. Akova, E. Fincan, and C. Cankı, “Examining ambivalent sexism and gender awareness among medical students”, CMJ, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 61–68, June 2026, doi: 10.7197/cmj.1916724.
ISNAD
Akova, İrem - Fincan, Emine - Cankı, Candan. “Examining Ambivalent Sexism and Gender Awareness Among Medical Students”. Cumhuriyet Medical Journal 48/2 (June 1, 2026): 61-68. https://doi.org/10.7197/cmj.1916724.
JAMA
1.Akova İ, Fincan E, Cankı C. Examining ambivalent sexism and gender awareness among medical students. CMJ. 2026;48:61–68.
MLA
Akova, İrem, et al. “Examining Ambivalent Sexism and Gender Awareness Among Medical Students”. Cumhuriyet Medical Journal, vol. 48, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 61-68, doi:10.7197/cmj.1916724.
Vancouver
1.İrem Akova, Emine Fincan, Candan Cankı. Examining ambivalent sexism and gender awareness among medical students. CMJ. 2026 Jun. 1;48(2):61-8. doi:10.7197/cmj.1916724