Pathways among masculinity, femininity, and health behaviors in emerging adulthood

Abstract

The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) is a widely-used measure of psychological masculinity, femininity, and androgyny (Bem in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 196–205, 1977). Psychological androgyny is correlated with a host of positive outcomes, including self-esteem (Buckley and Carter in Sex Roles, 53, 647–661, 2005) and social adjustment (Markstrom-Adams in Sex Roles, 21, 325-340, 1989). However, little work has explored how gender role orientation relates to overall and risky health behaviors in college students. This study was designed to examine the potential pathways among gender role orientation, adaptability, and health behaviors in a sample of emerging adults. The sample included 199 students (mean age = 19.7 years) recruited from a mid-sized regional university in the Southwest U.S. Participants completed an online survey that included measures of gender role orientation, adaptability, physical health, and risky health behaviors. Quantitative analyses revealed that higher levels of masculinity and femininity predicted more positive health behaviors among both college men and women. Implications for emerging adult populations are discussed.