Masculinity ideology among Russian and U.S. young men and women and its relationships to unhealthy lifestyles habits among young Russian men.

Abstract

One aim of this study was to further investigate the empirical support for the social constructionist perspective on gender roles. A 2nd aim was to explore the relationship between Russian men’s endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology and their engagement in behaviors that may put their health at risk. Russian respondents endorsed traditional masculinity ideology, developed for a U.S. sample, to a higher degree than did their American counterparts. Overall, women endorsed a less traditional perspective of masculinity ideology for men; however, this result was more pronounced among U.S. participants. Using a modification of the Susceptibility to Stress Scale (L. H. Miller, A. D. Smith, & B. L. Mehler, 1988), results yielded 1 variable associated with unhealthy lifestyle habits among Russian men: lower socioeconomic status.