How large are the differences - really ? Self-reported long-standing illness among working class and middle class men

摘要: Social inequalities in health are regularly found interview surveys, but it has been doubted whether respondents’ self-reported morbidity can accurately describe social class differences health. Two hypotheses current: members of the working commonly more preoccupied with their illnesses, and overreport them, compared those middle class: secondly, latter sensitive to have a better chance getting them diagnosed, consequently claim wider array illnesses comparison former. This paper analyses answers questions about long-standing illness from men, aged 25–64, Norwegian surveys during 1980s. Working respondents experience as serious. An analysis diagnostic categories both sets indicates that this subjective is realistic. The hypothesis high level psychological malaise among men produces tendency somatise psycho-social stress not supported. concludes shown by will often underestimate true differences.