Masculine gender role stress: Implications for the assessment of men

Abstract

There has been increasing awareness of an association between masculine gender role and various physical and mental health disorders in men. Based on a psychosocial view of masculinity we have developed a cognitvely mediated notion of gender role stress (MGRS). This view rests on the assumption that rigid commitment to masculine schemata for the appraisal and coping with life's problems may both produce stress and result in dysfunctional coping patterns in men. The empirical development of a measure of MGRS is described, and five factors are identified that relate to psychophysiological measures of stress. The review then discusses how reliance on masculine schemata can lead to gender role stress and dysfunctional coping behaviors. These behaviors are presented as the inhibition of emotional expressiveness, reliance on aggression, power, and control, and obsession with achievement and success. The utility of the concept of masculine gender role stress in the assessment of men's health is discussed.