Gender Role Beliefs Research Articles

Gender Role Mindset and Beliefs about Own Personal Goals as a Guide for Young People's Behaviors towards the Romantic Partner.

Dating violence (DV) is a form of intentional abuse carried out in young couples, which over the years has increasingly gained attention for its pervasiveness and high frequency. The present study represents an effort to expand and deepen the literature on factors associated with DV perpetration. The sample consisted of 225 Italian young people who completed an online survey. A model was tested, in which DV perpetration is affected by the presence of gender stereotypes and personal values oriented to power and dominance (i.e., self-enhancement) and to universalism and interest in others (i.e., self-transcendence) through the mediation of the perception of the romantic relationship quality, controlling for age. Sex was also considered in the model. The findings showed that self-enhancement and self-transcendence were, respectively, linked positively and negatively to a negative perception of the relationship quality, which in turn explained DV perpetration. The results also suggested that hostile sexism, self-enhancement and being male were directly linked to DV perpetration, thus representing potential risk factors for it. The study suggests the importance of working on gender role beliefs and personal orientation to power, which guide the way people perceive their romantic relationships and behave toward their partners, providing interesting insights for the implementation of DV prevention programs. Moreover, the findings highlight the importance of working with families and other educational agencies to foster a change in cultural terms.

Online Dating in The U.S. During This Politically Divided Time: Association Among Political Affiliation, Gender Role Beliefs, And Partner Preferences

While there has been a surge in popularity of online dating, the current polarized political climate in the U.S. may influence how online daters select a desired partner. The present study examined the relation between political affiliation, partner preferences, and gender beliefs with a sample of 373 online dating users. Democrats (n = 196) showed stronger preference for an intimate partner of the same party compared to Republicans (n = 90). Democrats (particularly women) also identified that having a different political affiliation as a deal-breaker more so than Republicans. Regarding gender role beliefs, Republicans (particularly men) showed significantly higher traditional gender role beliefs than Democrats. However, gender-based differences were not observed among Democrats; both Democratic men and women showed equally less traditional gender role beliefs compared to Republican women and men. Implications for dating prospects, particularly for Republican men, are discussed.

Promoting men-inclusive maternity services: exploring the expectations, experiences and needs of men as fathers

AimThis study aimed to explore the ‘real time’ expectations, experiences and needs of men who attend maternity services to inform the development of strategies to enhance men’s inclusion.MethodsA qualitative descriptive design was adopted for the study. Semi-structured face-to-face or telephone interviews were conducted with 48 men attending the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital before and after their partner gave birth. Data were coded and analysed thematically.ResultsMost respondents identified their role as a support person rather than a direct beneficiary of maternity services. They expressed the view that if their partner and baby’s needs were met, their needs were met. Factors that contributed to a positive experience included the responsiveness of staff and meeting information needs. Factors promoting feelings of inclusion were being directly addressed by staff, having the opportunity to ask questions, and performing practical tasks associated with the birth.ConclusionAdopting an inclusive communication style promotes men’s feelings of inclusion in maternity services. However, the participants’ tendency to conflate their needs with those of their partner suggests the ongoing salience of traditional gender role beliefs, which view childbirth primarily as the domain of women.

Positive and Negative Gender Role Beliefs and Intimate Partner Violence.

An ethnically diverse sample of 384 male and female undergraduates was assessed for their gender role beliefs based on positive (family responsibility) vs. negative (male dominance and female submissiveness) aspects derived from Hispanic cultural traditions. Negative male and female gender role beliefs were significantly positively correlated with reported victimization by and perpetration of severe intimate partner violence (IPV) for both men and women. Positive male gender role beliefs were negatively correlated with reported victimization by and perpetration of IPV for both men and women, with women also providing some evidence that positive female gender role beliefs were associated with less IPV.

When Job Opportunities Go Up in Smoke

Abstract: Employment discrimination based on job-unrelated factors (e.g., gender, smoking status) can lead to unfair outcomes for applicants. In the present study, 400 Canadian and US hiring professionals evaluated a candidate’s resume and then cybervetted their social media page which disclosed their gender and smoking status (i.e., cigarette smoker, vaper, or nonsmoker). Revised evaluations post-cybervetting were lower for applicants discovered as smokers and vapers than for nonsmokers, but vapers were perceived as negatively as smokers. Negative evaluations for cigarette smokers depended on raters’ attitudes toward smoking. Applicant gender moderated the effect of vaping but not smoking on evaluations. Managers’ gender role beliefs did not play a moderating role. These findings indicate the need for improvements in cybervetting practices used in hiring.

Daily Time-Use Patterns and Quality of Life in Parents: Protocol for a Pilot Quasi-Experimental, Nonrandomized Controlled Trial Using Ecological Momentary Assessment.

The gender gap in time use and its impact on health and well-being are still prevalent. Women work longer hours than men when considering both paid and unpaid (eg, childcare and chores) work, and this gender disparity is particularly visible among parents. Less is known about factors that could potentially mediate or moderate this relationship (eg, work-family conflict and gender role beliefs). Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) allows for the documentation of changes in momentary internal states, such as time use, stress, or mood. It has shown particular validity to measure shorter-term activities (eg, unpaid work) and is thus useful to address gender differences. The feasibility of the daily EMA surveys in a parent sample will be examined. The associations between time use, well-being, and stress will be examined, along with potential moderating and mediating factors such as gender, gender role beliefs, and work-family conflict. Finally, the act of monitoring one's own time use, well-being, and stress will be examined in relation to, for example, the quality of life. We conducted a quasi-experimental, nonrandomized controlled trial with 3 data collection methods, namely, online questionnaires, EMA surveys, and qualitative interviews. The intervention group (n=64) will participate in the online questionnaires and EMA surveys, and a subsample of the intervention group (n=6-17) will also be invited to participate in qualitative interviews. Over a period of 1 week, participants in the intervention group will answer daily EMA surveys (4 times per day). In contrast, the control group (n=17) will only participate in the online questionnaires at baseline and after 1 week. The following constructs were surveyed: sociodemographic background (eg, age, gender, and household composition; baseline questionnaire); mediators and moderators (eg, gender role beliefs and work-family conflict; baseline and follow-up questionnaires); well-being, quality of life, and trait mindfulness (baseline and follow-up questionnaires); momentary activity and well-being, as well as state mindfulness (EMA); and feasibility (baseline and follow-up questionnaires as well as interviews). We anticipate that participants will regard the daily EMA as feasible. Particular daily time-use patterns (eg, high paid and unpaid workload) are expected to be related to lower well-being, higher stress, and health-related quality of life. These associations are expected to be moderated and mediated by factors such as gender, gender role beliefs, work-family conflict, and social support. Participants in the intervention group are expected to show higher values of mindfulness, well-being, health-related quality of life, and lower stress. Patient recruitment started in November 2023 and ended in mid April 2024. Data analysis commenced in mid April 2024. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the feasibility of using EMAs and the potential benefits of activity tracking in various aspects of daily life. Open Science Framework 8qj3d; https://osf.io/8qj3d. PRR1-10.2196/54728.

Experiences of sexist discrimination as a potential explanatory factor for alcohol and drug misuse among Latina young adult women

RationaleMarianismo beliefs, or traditional female gender role beliefs among Latinas, have been found to serve as risk or protective factors linked with health risk behaviors in prior studies, including alcohol and drug misuse. However, limited research has examined potential factors that may contribute to or explain these associations. Sexist discrimination, which can serve as a significant stressor that may contribute to substance misuse, is one potential factor that may link marianismo beliefs and substance misuse among Latina young adult women. ObjectiveThis study examined sexism as a potential mediator of hypothesized negative associations between five marianismo beliefs (Family Pillar, Virtuous and Chaste, Subordinate to Others, Silencing Self to Maintain Harmony, and Spiritual Pillar) and alcohol and drug misuse using structural equation modeling. MethodParticipants included 611 cisgender Latina full-time college student young adult women in the U.S. ages 18–26 who participated in an online cross-sectional survey about their health and behaviors. ResultsResults delineated experiences of sexism as a significant risk factor for alcohol and drug misuse and as a potential explanatory factor that may partly explain associations between certain marianismo beliefs (i.e., Virtuous and Chaste beliefs) and substance misuse. Specifically, experiences of sexism partially accounted for the negative association between endorsement of the Virtuous and Chaste belief and increased alcohol and drug misuse among Latina young adults. ConclusionsPrevention and intervention efforts should take a culturally responsive, gender-informed approach to address substance misuse among Latina young adults and address the negative influence of sexism on health.

Religious values, attitudes towards lesbians and gay men, and gender role beliefs among young adults

The study aims to examine the relationship and impact of religious values, attitudes towards lesbians and gay men, and gender role beliefs among young adults. A quantitative approach was employed in this study, utilizing self-report inventories to gather data from 300 participants aged 18-25 years in Indian cities. The questionnaires used were the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), the Attitude towards Lesbian and Gay Men Scale (ATLG), and the Gender Role Beliefs Scale (GRBS). The results indicated that there was a positive correlation between religious values and attitudes towards lesbians and gay men, a negative correlation between religious values and gender role beliefs, and between attitudes towards the lesbian and the gay men and the gender role beliefs. The study also found that there was a gender difference in the distribution of attitudes towards lesbians and gay men and gender role beliefs between males and females but not towards religious values, and a difference in the distribution of attitudes towards lesbians and gay men and gender role beliefs based on education levels but no distribution towards religious values. The findings provide clinicians and mental health professionals with vital information with regards to the influence of religion and gender role beliefs which are important factors to consider when formulating intervention programs for lesbian or gay men.

Provision of gender affirming care among medical and allied health practitioners: The influence of transnormative beliefs in working with gender diverse patients

Gender diverse patients (including gender diverse, transgender, and non-binary people) deserve quality health care, which has been referred to as gender affirming care. Given that practitioners' attitudes and competence can influence their provision of gender affirming care, this study used a lens of transnormativity (Bradford & Syed, 2019; Johnson, 2016) to develop a measure of practitioners' transnormative beliefs. The aim of the study was to determine if these beliefs were related to practitioners' gender affirming attitudes and perceptions of competence in gender affirming practice. Survey data were collected from Australian medical and allied health practitioners (N = 95). Exploratory factor analysis was applied to items measuring transnormative beliefs, with the results supporting three higher order factors; conditional approval, narrative, and gender role beliefs. Conditional approval reflected belief in gender diverse identity as authentic and worthy of intervention. Narrative beliefs reflected understanding of common developmental experiences among gender diverse populations, specifically experiences of victimisation and nascence. Gender role beliefs reflected belief in the existence of gender roles. In models that regressed gender affirming attitudes and self-perceived competency on all transnormative beliefs, controlling for demographics and work history, practitioners higher in conditional approval were lower in gender affirming attitudes and practitioners higher in narrative beliefs were higher in gender affirming attitudes and competency. Conditional approval was not significantly associated with competency, and gender role beliefs were not significantly associated with attitudes or competency. Results indicate that practitioners' transnormative beliefs are related to their gender affirming attitudes and suggest that targeting these beliefs through training opportunities could bridge the gap between gender diverse people's healthcare needs and the ability of healthcare practitioners to provide high quality care.

First‐Generation Female Professors from Low‐Income Families in Pakistan: The Influence of Parents on Access to and Involvement in Higher Education

This paper presents findings of qualitative analysis of female professors' views about the role of their parents' attitudes and family backgrounds in shaping their access to and participation in university education in Pakistan. Structural barriers in the form of lack of education, in particular, high education facilities and opportunities were linked to disadvantaged rural places of residence and geographical inequities, whereas parental values of believing in the importance of gaining professional education were commonly highlighted across the sample. Similarly, the family culture of encouraging and supporting children's education, and parental role in overcoming barriers in gaining access to university education were more likely reported than traditional gender role beliefs and gendered practices. Additionally, parents' positive and reinforcing attitudes toward their daughters' education played a mediating role in shaping study participants' academic dispositions and agencies that lead to their academic and career success. The analysis revealed that parents' positive educational values, encouraging attitudes, and supportive behaviors for their daughters were embedded in parents' personal histories and experiences of deprived status in education and occupational attainments.

Research on the Influence of Gender Role Beliefs on Fertility Intentions and Gender DifferencesBased on CGSS 2021 Cross-Sectional Data

Based on the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) data, this study investigated the impact of gender role beliefs on fertility intentions and explored the heterogeneity in fertility intentions across genders. This study employed descriptive statistics to conduct a basic analysis of the variables. Subsequently, it utilized ordered logistic regression and discriminant analysis models to analyze the impact of gender role perceptions on the fertility intentions of the population suitable for pregnancy. Finally, differences based on gender and marital status were examined. The research findings indicate a significant negative correlation between gender role beliefs and fertility intentions, suggesting that more progressive gender role beliefs are associated with lower fertility intentions. Additionally, through heterogeneity analysis, it was observed that progressive gender role beliefs among females are significantly negatively correlated with fertility intentions, while the relationship between male gender role beliefs and fertility intentions is not significant. Moreover, among the unmarried population, there is a significant positive correlation between gender role beliefs and fertility intentions, whereas, among the married population, gender role beliefs and fertility intentions are not significantly related. Therefore, accelerating the promotion of gender equality plays a crucial role in boosting fertility intentions among women in China.

Gender Qualities and Campus Bullying: Psychological Causes and Social Ecology Behind the Rose Boy

In April 2000, "Rose Boy" Ye Yongzhi died due to bullying by his classmates for his unique gender identity. Although the Ye Yongzhi incident has drawn increasing attention to the seriousness of gender identity discrimination and campus bullying, the phenomenon of "gender bullying" still exists today. In this study, the author conducted a questionnaire survey of 100 male youths in mainland China who had experienced or were currently experiencing campus bullying to clarify the current status of campus bullying and gender bullying in mainland China, and conducted statistics on the forms, reasons, solutions, and impacts of bullying. On this basis, this paper adopts a social-psychological perspective to explore the social psychological causes behind "gender temperament bullying". On the one hand, adolescents may develop stereotypes about gender temperament due to prejudice. On the other hand, adolescents may exhibit irrational group behavior under the influence of "deindividuation". In addition, "obeying authority" is also one of the reasons why some teenagers join the ranks of bullies. Finally, this paper elaborates on the deeper macro-social ecology behind social psychology, such as the influence of traditional gender role beliefs on parents' expectations and requirements for their children in traditional Chinese families; most schools in China fail to provide comprehensive and scientific gender education courses, lacking in-depth exploration and correct guidance on gender issues; the administrative and judicial departments have not sufficiently punished and prevented campus bullying; the whole society's attention to campus bullying and gender discrimination also needs to be improved.

Sexual Identity Development and Social Ecological Facilitators and Barriers of PrEP Uptake and Adherence Among Latinx Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Latinx gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (LMSM) report lower pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use than their white, non-Latinx counterparts. We hypothesize that this disparity is partially attributable to social ecological factors that can be addressed via prevention interventions. In this retrospective study, we first examined data from 253 LMSM to determine whether theorized associations existed between acquisition of a PrEP prescription (uptake) in relation to several social ecological factors based on a conceptual framework of determinants of access to and uptake of PrEP for LMSM. We also explored relations between frequency of PrEP use (adherence) and social ecological factors with a subsample of 33 LMSM who had initiated PrEP 12months prior to assessment. In this study, individual-level factors from this framework included age and socioeconomic status. Perceived access to medical care represented both individual- and community-level determinants of PrEP uptake and adherence. Interpersonal-level factors were social support and relationship status. Structural/cultural-level factors were sexual identity development status, the masculinity norm of heterosexual self-presentation, traditional Latinx masculine gender role beliefs of machismo and caballerismo, racial identity, and immigration status. Results indicated that older men and those who endorsed the synthesis/integration status of sexual identity development were more likely to acquire a PrEP prescription during their lifetime in comparison to peers. PrEP adherence was linked with being older, reporting higher socioeconomic status, reporting more appraisal social support, self-identifying as white-Latinx, being U.S.-born, and endorsing less sexual identity uncertainty and more heterosexual self-presentation. Results specify modifiable factors that may inform tailored, community-based prevention efforts to increase PrEP use and decrease existing HIV/AIDS disparities among LMSM.

Attitudes toward Women’s Layoffs during Recessions: Evidence from Chinese Firms

Sociological research has identified persistent disadvantages that face women in hiring and promotion opportunities in firms. This article extends this research on gender inequality to examining firm preferences for women’s layoffs when faced with the prospect of an economic recession. Drawing on nationally representative microdata on workers in China, this article reveals that these preferences differ by firm type. Men in state firms report significantly higher odds of preferring to lay off women first, but this effect is even stronger in private firms. As symbols of economic stability, state firms are prohibited from conducting layoffs, creating insulated organizational cultures with traditional gender role beliefs that are resistant to change. Meanwhile, private firms are governed by a firm logic of profit maximization that creates more precarity among workers and compels them, men and even women, to embrace layoffs of fellow women workers to protect themselves.

Do Traditional Gender Role Beliefs Promote Abstinence and Sexual Health Behaviors Among Latina College Students?

Traditional gender role beliefs, or marianismo beliefs, are theorized to be largely protective against health risk behaviors, including sexual risk behaviors among Latina young adults. However, measurement differences across studies and research with heterogeneous samples of abstinent and sexually active Latina young adults have led to unclear findings. Thus, we investigated whether endorsement of certain marianismo beliefs may promote sexual health behaviors or solely promote abstinence. Guided by gender role schema theory, this study investigated the multidimensional construct of marianismo beliefs in relation to past-year abstinence from sexual activity, STI and HIV testing, and condom use among 611 Latina young adults. Results indicated that endorsement of the Virtuous and Chaste belief was associated with decreased odds of sexual activity (i.e., increased odds of being abstinent) in the past year. None of the five marianismo beliefs were significantly linked with condom use. Among sexually active participants, the Virtuous and Chaste belief was associated with decreased likelihood to be tested for both STIs and HIV in the past year. Findings support the notion that certain marianismo beliefs (e.g., the Virtuous and Chaste belief) may promote abstinence, yet pose a risk for sexual health via reduced likelihood for STI and HIV testing. Results may inform culturally-tailored HIV prevention interventions with Latinas to reduce the disproportionate HIV burden in this population.

Servant versus directive leadership and promotability: does leader gender matter?

Are leaders more promotable when they show servant or directive leadership - and does this hold for women and men alike? Servant leaders are likely seen as more effective, likable, and thus promotable but less prototypical than directive leaders. We argue that differing degrees of communion (i.e., warmth, morality) and agency (i.e., competence, dominance) underlie the relationship of servant and directive leadership with leaders' promotability. Based on expectancy-violation theory, we assume that men benefit more from servant leadership and women benefit more from directive leadership. Servant leadership aligns more with communion and stereotypes about women. In contrast, directive leadership aligns more with agency and stereotypes about men. These differences may result in gender-biased evaluations threatening fairness in leadership promotions. In a pre-study, servant leadership was more expected of women leaders than of men leaders. However, directive leadership was equally expected of women leaders and men leaders. An experimental vignette study (N = 454) revealed that servant leaders were seen as more effective, likable, and promotable than directive leaders, regardless of gender. Perceived leader warmth, morality, and competence were positively, and dominance was negatively, related to leader effectiveness and leader liking, which were positively related to leader promotability. We also investigated whether raters' gender role beliefs influenced the evaluations, which they did not (as reported in the Supplementary material). Concluding, women and men profit equally from exhibiting servant compared to directive leadership.

Work-life Balance, Gender Role Beliefs, Gender Participation and Women's Representation in Leadership Positions in Public Universities: A Case of Makerere University

The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between work-life balance, gender role beliefs, gender participation, and women's representation in leadership positions in public universities in Uganda. 280 staff from Makerere University responded to the study. A cross-sectional study survey was adopted which involved descriptive, correlation, and regression approaches. The findings of this study revealed work-life balance, gender role beliefs, and gender participation significantly and positively influence women's representation in leadership positions at Makerere University in Uganda. Women who take on more leadership roles at Makerere University have to realize work-life balance. Women have to be given equal opportunity to participate in all university activities with support accorded to them just as the case is, with male employees. They should be supported to take on leadership roles and higher academic qualifications just as their male counterparts. The results show that among other driving forces to venture into leadership positions, achieving work-life balance is one of the most significant ones. Lack of ample time, gender stereotypes, social and cultural norms as well and family responsibilities are the greatest hindrances women face in achieving balance hence hindering their representation in leadership positions in Makerere University. This study shows how women's representation in leadership positions can be improved by family, domestic, and work-related factors.

Help-Seeking Barriers for Latinx Victims of Intimate Partner Homicide: Insight From Survivors, Advocates, and Community Practitioners

Limited studies have considered the experiences of Latinx intimate partner homicide (IPH) survivors. A federally designated, culturally specific gender-based violence resource center partnered with nine community-based organizations to enhance culturally specific knowledge on IPH prevention by conducting listening sessions and key informant interviews with Latinx survivors, advocates, and community practitioners. The current study analyzed data from the larger project to explore help-seeking barriers encountered by Latinx IPH survivors, specifically cisgender and transgender women. Results identified six themes impacting help-seeking: an inaccessible criminal justice system, inequitable resources, immigrant identity, gender role beliefs and expectations, a lack of culturally sensitive services, and family concerns. Policy implications and future research are discussed.

Societal gender role beliefs moderate the pattern of gender differences in public- and private-sphere pro-environmental behaviors

Although societies have widely recognized the gender differences of women participating more than men do in private-sphere pro-environmental behavior, how the relationship between gender and public-sphere pro-environmental behavior varies across societies is less clear. To fill this gap, we examined the moderating effect of societal gender role beliefs in how gender predicts public-sphere pro-environmental behavior across societies using large-scale surveys. In Study 1, using the data from the World Values Survey (N = 85,484 from 57 countries), we found that gender differences (i.e., men do more than women) in the number of participations in different types of public-sphere pro-environmental behavior were greater among societies with stronger gender role beliefs. In Study 2, using the data from the International Social Survey Programme (N = 46,705 from 34 countries), we replicated the findings in Study 1 for public-sphere pro-environmental behavior. Additionally, we found that gender differences (i.e., women do more than men) in the number of participations in different types of private-sphere pro-environmental behavior were greater among societies with weaker gender role beliefs. However, these results diminished with the moderating effect of other societal-level factors controlled. These findings provide a better understanding of the relationship between gender and pro-environmental behaviors and reveal the importance of social contexts in moderating the magnitude of gender identity maintenance across domains.

Cultural Correlates of Dating Violence in a Combined Gender Group of Latino College Students.

Prevalence rates of dating violence (DV) on college campuses are high. The documented effects of DV suggest substantial challenges across all domains of functioning; yet, DV is preventable. The research on risk and preventive factors for Latino college students is limited. This study used the social-ecological model to examine factors associated with DV at the individual, relationship, and societal levels. More specifically, we utilized structural equation modeling to build an acceptable model of physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences for Latino participants based on variables of gender role beliefs, acculturation, attitudes toward violence, and surveillance behavior, while considering development issues. We describe the practice and prevention implications of the study findings. Overall, the model showed excellent model fit (χ2[40] = 52.06, p < .09, root mean square error of approximation = 0.025, comparative fit index = 0.99, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.98, and a coefficient of determination of 0.04), and several proposed pathways were found to be significant, exhibiting the utility of this model in understanding Latino Dating violence. Maternal education was found to be significantly negatively associated with Mexican orientation (β = -.13, p = .02) and indirectly associated with both DV attitudes and surveillance through Mexican orientation, suggesting protective effects for lower maternal education and higher Mexican orientation. Machismo (β = .18, p = .002) and caballerismo (β = .26, p < .001) were both related to IPV attitudes. Machismo also directly increased the risk of surveillance (β = .21, p < .001) and indirectly increased the risk of physical and psychological victimization through surveillance behavior. Mexican orientation predicted less endorsement of DV attitudes (β = -.16, p < .001) and less surveillance (β = -.09, p = .04). Victimization was predicted by caballerismo (β = -.19, p < .001) and surveillance (β = .33, p < .001).