Final answer:
The physiological stress response to psychosocial stress in men and women can be influenced by the sex composition of panels, with research indicating that gender may affect stress levels, cortisol release, and inflammatory responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Panel Sex Composition on Stress Response:
The question pertains to the physiological stress response to psychosocial stress in healthy young men and women and how this is affected by the sex composition of a panel. Studies indicate that stress levels and responses may vary between genders due to various factors, including hormonal differences and social-environmental stressors. For instance, research has shown that women generally report higher stress levels compared to men, potentially due to differential sensitivity to certain stressors. The psychosocial stress of panel situations and the ensuing cortisol release are important areas of investigation in the context of sex differences.
According to Michaud et al. (2008), psychosocial stress can induce the release of cortisol, a stress hormone, in adults. This meta-analysis suggests that stressors in natural contexts have notable impacts on cortisol levels, hinting at the biological underpinnings of the stress response. Additionally, a review by Gyllensten and Palmer (2005) highlights the importance of gender as an influencing factor in workplace stress, which could be extrapolated to stress in other social settings, such as panels.
Furthermore, Sherwin (1988) suggests that androgens, such as testosterone, play different roles in male and female sexual behavior, and there is evidence that the response to stress can affect testosterone levels and thus various behavioral and physiological processes. Interestingly, Pace et al. (2006) found that heightened stress-induced inflammatory responses were present in males with major depression and increased early life stress, emphasizing the complex interplay between stress, inflammation, and mental health.
Considering these findings and understanding that both males and females show specific arousal during the sexual response, it is plausible that the sex composition of a panel might influence stress responses in gender-specific ways, thereby affecting cortisol release, inflammatory responses, and potentially other stress-related physiological changes in men and women.