Glass Escalator Effect in Physical Therapy: Exploring Gender Disparities and Career Advancement

Background: The field of physical therapy, traditionally dominated by women, is experiencing a shift towards greater gender diversity. However, gender disparities in career advancement, workplace equality, and perceptions of sexism persist. This study explores these dynamics among physical therapists in Karachi, Pakistan, assessing the presence of the glass escalator effect where men are perceived to advance faster in female-dominated professions.Objective: To investigate gender disparities in career advancement, workplace gender equality, and ambivalent sexism attitudes among physical therapists in Karachi, and to assess whether the glass escalator effect influences these dynamics.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from September to December 2023 across various hospitals and universities specializing in physical therapy in Karachi, Pakistan. The sample included 462 male and female physical therapists, aged 22-55 years, with at least two years of professional experience. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires comprising the Career Advancement and Associated Factors (CAAF), Workplace Gender Equality and Organizational Culture Perception (WGEOCP), and Ambivalent Sexism Attitude Perception (ASAP) scales. A pilot study validated the questionnaires with validity scores of 0.6, 0.65, and 0.68, respectively. Ethical approval was obtained in line with the Declaration of Helsinki. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics and independent t-tests to compare perceptions between genders, with significance set at p < 0.05.Results: The study included 462 participants (50.6% male, 49.4% female). Females scored higher on the CAAF scale (mean = 3.3053) compared to males (mean = 3.1265), showing a significant difference (t = -9.826, p = 0.000). Males scored higher on the WGEOCP scale (mean = 3.0736) versus females (mean = 3.0172) with a significant difference (t = 4.969, p = 0.000). On the ASAP scale, males also reported higher scores (mean = 3.0689) compared to females (mean = 2.8993), indicating significant differences (t = 8.422, p = 0.000). These results highlight a nuanced view of gender disparities, where female physical therapists perceive greater career advancement opportunities, but males experience higher levels of ambivalent sexism.Conclusion: The study did not find evidence of the glass escalator effect favoring men in physical therapy in Karachi. Instead, it identified significant gender differences in perceptions of career advancement and ambivalent sexism, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to promote gender equity within the profession. Addressing these disparities through policy reforms and continued research is essential for fostering an inclusive work environment for all physical therapists.