Male Role Norms Research Articles

Predictors of Intention to Obtain Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African American Men in a State Fair Setting.

Racial disparities in health among African American men in the United States are appalling. African American men have the highest mortality and incidence rates from colorectal cancer compared with all other ethnic, racial, and gender groups. Juxtaposed to their white counterparts, African American men have colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates 27% and 52% higher, respectively. Colorectal cancer is a treatable and preventable condition when detected early, yet the intricate factors influencing African American men's intention to screen remain understudied. Employing a nonexperimental, online survey research design at the Minnesota State Fair, the purpose of this study was to explore whether male role norms, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions influence intention to screen for colorectal cancer among 297 African American men. As hypothesized, these Minnesota men (ages 18 to 65) lacked appropriate colorectal cancer knowledge: only 33% of the sample received a "passing" knowledge score (85% or better). In a logistic regression model, the three factors significantly associated with a higher probability of obtaining colorectal cancer screening were age, perceived barriers, and perceived subjective norms. Findings from this study provide a solid basis for informing health policy and designing health promotion and early-intervention colorectal cancer prevention programs that are responsive to the needs of African American men in Minnesota and beyond.

Abstract B82: Predictors of intention to obtain colorectal cancer screening among African American men in a state fair setting

Abstract Racial disparities in health among African American men in the United States are appalling: African American men have the highest mortality and incidence rates from colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to all other ethnic, racial, and gender groups. Juxtaposed to their white counterparts, African American men have CRC incidence and mortality rates 25% and 50% higher, respectively. CRC is a treatable and preventable condition when detected early, yet the intricate factors influencing African American men's intention to screen remain understudied. Employing a non-experimental, on-line survey research design at the Minnesota State Fair, the purpose of this study was to explore whether male role norms affect knowledge, attitudes, and intention to screen for CRC directly, or mediated by perceived barriers, among 297 African American men. As hypothesized, these Minnesota men (ages 18-65) lacked appropriate CRC knowledge: only 33% of the sample received a “passing” knowledge score (85% or better). In a logistic regression model, the three factors significantly associated with a higher probability of obtaining CRC screening were age, perceived barriers, and perceived subjective norms. Findings from this study provide a solid basis for informing health policy and designing health promotion and early-intervention CRC prevention programs that are responsive to the needs of African American men in Minnesota and beyond. Citation Format: Charles R. Rogers, Patricia Goodson, Lindsey R. Dietz, Kola S. Okuyemi. Predictors of intention to obtain colorectal cancer screening among African American men in a state fair setting. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B82.

Endorsement of Traditional Male Role Norms and Marital Adjustment among Turkish Men

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between married men’s level of male role norms and their level of marital adjustment. Male role norms were examined as predictors of marital adjustment in Turkish married men using a Turkish version of the Marital Adjustment Scale and the Male Role Norms Inventory. Academic and managerial staff from Ondokuz Mayıs University participated in the research. The study sample consisted of 183 male participants, all of whom had been married to a member of the opposite sex for at least one year. The correlations among the study variables indicate that avoidance of femininity, restrictive emotionality, aggression, achievement status, self-reliance, and attitudes toward sex are significantly related to marital adjustment. Additionally, the results reveal that male role norms are a predictor of marital adjustment. We conclude that marital adjustment is determined by avoidance of femininity, restrictive emotionality, aggression, achievement status, and attitudes toward sex.

Supplemental Material for Confirmatory Factor Analytic Investigation of Variance Composition, Gender Invariance, and Validity of the Male Role Norms Inventory-Adolescent-revised (MRNI-A-r)

Supplemental Material for Confirmatory Factor Analytic Investigation of Variance Composition, Gender Invariance, and Validity of the Male Role Norms Inventory-Adolescent-revised (MRNI-A-r)

Supplemental Material for Construct Validity Evidence for the Male Role Norms Inventory-Short Form: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach Using the Bifactor Model

Supplemental Material for Construct Validity Evidence for the Male Role Norms Inventory-Short Form: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach Using the Bifactor Model

Masculinity, Socioeconomic Status, and Self-Reported Health among African American Men

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of masculinity and socioeconomic status (i.e., income) on the self-reported health of a sample of African American men. Study participants ( n = 122) were barbershop patrons from Chicago, Illinois, who ranged in age from 18 to 66. We used logistic regression to assess the relationship between masculinity and self-reported health. Masculinity was measured as the average of responses to a subset of 10 items from the Male Role Norms Inventory and the Male Attitude Norms Inventory II. Self-reported health was measured with a five point Likert scale and dichotomized as excellent versus other health status. Analyses suggested that masculinity, but not socioeconomic status, was positively associated with excellent self-reported health. Such results offer understanding of how masculinity and self-reported health impact health outcomes in African American men.

Construct distinctiveness and variance composition of multi-dimensional instruments: Three short-form masculinity measures.

Focusing on a set of 3 multidimensional measures of conceptually related but different aspects of masculinity, we use factor analytic techniques to address 2 issues: (a) whether psychological constructs that are theoretically distinct but require fairly subtle discriminations by survey respondents can be accurately captured by self-report measures, and (b) how to better understand sources of variance in subscale and total scores developed from such measures. The specific measures investigated were the: (a) Male Role Norms Inventory-Short Form (MRNI-SF); (b) Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory-46 (CMNI-46); and (c) Gender Role Conflict Scale-Short Form (GRCS-SF). Data (N = 444) were from community-dwelling and college men who responded to an online survey. EFA results demonstrated the discriminant validity of the 20 subscales comprising the 3 instruments, thus indicating that relatively subtle distinctions between norms, conformity, and conflict can be captured with self-report measures. CFA was used to compare 2 different methods of modeling a broad/general factor for each of the 3 instruments. For the CMNI-46 and MRNI-SF, a bifactor model fit the data significantly better than did a hierarchical factor model. In contrast, the hierarchical model fit better for the GRCS-SF. The discussion addresses implications of these specific findings for use of the measures in research studies, as well as broader implications for measurement development and assessment in other research domains of counseling psychology which also rely on multidimensional self-report instruments.

Masculinity Ideology among Male Workers and Its Relationship to Self-Reported Health Behaviors

This study examines the association between masculinity ideology and health-promoting behaviors (HPB) among male workers. In total, 669 participants completed the Male Role Norms Inventory and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, which measures six HPBs (nutrition, physical activity, stress management, interpersonal relations, health responsibility, and spiritual growth). Results show that masculinity ideology was associated with HPBs, controlling for socioeconomic characteristics. Men who consider themselves poor and have low education endorsed masculinity norms more strongly and adopted fewer HPBs. Restrictive Emotionality was negatively associated with all HPBs, while Negativity Toward Sexual Minorities was negatively associated with physical activity and interpersonal relations. Avoidance of Femininity and Toughness were positively associated with physical activity. This study suggests that men’s endorsement of masculinity norms should be considered in health promotion programs.

Media internalization and conformity to traditional masculine norms in relation to body image concerns among men

Previous studies have separately examined conformity to masculine norms and internalization of body ideals in the media in relation to the drive for muscularity (DM). This study was designed to examine these factors together in relation to DM, and further examine how they may differ in relation to drive for thinness (DT) and drive for leanness (DL). Participants were 284 Australian males between ages 18 and 42. They completed validated measures that assessed DM, DT, DL, male gender role norms, and internalization of body ideals. The findings showed that internalization of body ideals mediated the relationship between masculine role norms and body image in the case of both DM and DL. However, masculine norms and internalization were independent predictors of DT. Our findings contribute to further understanding of the roles that the media and masculine norms have in shaping men's drive for muscularity, leanness, and thinness. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm the nature and direction of these relationships.

Dormant Masculinity: Moderating Effects of Acute Alcohol Intoxication on the Relation Between Male Role Norms and Antigay Aggression.

Acute alcohol intoxication was examined as a moderator of the association between men's adherence to traditional gender norms and aggression towards a gay male. Participants were 164 heterosexual drinking men between the ages of 21-30. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires that included a measure of adherence to male role norms (i.e., status, toughness, antifemininity), were randomly assigned to consume an alcohol or no-alcohol control beverage, and completed the Taylor Aggression Paradigm in which electric shocks were administered to, and received from, a fictitious gay or heterosexual male opponent. Results indicated a greater adherence to both the toughness (β = .50, p = .002) and antifeminine (β = .37, p = .023) norms predicted high levels of aggression towards a gay man only among participants who were intoxicated. This interaction effect was not detected for the status norm. Consistent with previous research, findings suggest that adherence to the toughness norm does not increase sober men's risk of aggression toward gay men. However, this is the first study to demonstrate that alcohol intoxication may activate concepts of toughness, and thus influence men to act in line with this facet of the masculine concept. Importantly, these data support the view that men's adherence to various dimensions of masculinity may be dormant in some contexts, only to be activated, and subsequently demonstrated, in other contexts.

How does masculinity impact on health? A quantitative study of masculinity and health behavior in a sample of UK men and women.

© 2014 American Psychological Association. Masculinity is implicated in men's health practices (e.g., Courtenay, 2000). However, there is little quantitative work in the U.K. that examines this relationship for both men and women. This study addressed this gap in the literature and examined the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between elements of masculinity and positive (physical activity, unsaturated fat, fruit, and fiber) and negative (smoking, alcohol, and saturated fat intake) health behaviors. A community sample of 182 men and 274 women (mean age = 35.89 years) were recruited from a call center and a local authority in the North East of England. Participants completed self-report measures of Masculine Gender Role Stress (MGRS), Male Role Norms (MRN), Extended Personal Attributes (EPAQ), and Health Behaviors. Hierarchical regression analysis controlled for the effects of age, education, and ethnicity and revealed that aspects of masculinity measured by the MGRSS and the MRNS predicted worse health behaviors for both men and women (i.e., lower levels of positive health behaviors and higher levels of negative health behaviors), although these relationships were more numerous and stronger for men. Agency traits measured by the EPAQ were predictive of increased physical activity regardless of gender, and less saturated fat intake for men. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for and applications to health promotion.

An investigation of masculinity attitudes, gender, and attitudes toward psychological help-seeking.

Previous research on attitudes toward psychological help-seeking has shown that men are often reluctant to use psychological services. We investigated the relationships between subscription to traditional masculinity norms, gender, and help-seeking attitudes using the Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services (IASMHS) and the Male Role Norms Inventory (MRNI-R, which measures the extent to which one believes that men should think and behave according to traditional male norms) in a sample of 124 participants (51 females; 73 males). Men’s IASMHS scores were lower (i.e., less favorable attitudes to help-seeking) than women’s, whereas men scored higher on the MRNI-R (i.e., more positive attitudes to traditional male norms). A regression analysis revealed that men’s MRNI-R scores predicted their IASMHS scores; older participants scored higher on the IASMHS; and the effect of gender on the IASMHS was eliminated when MRNI-R scores were held constant. Our findings support the claim that men’s masculinity ideals are a significant barrier to their psychological help-seeking.

Racial differences in sexual prejudice and its correlates among heterosexual men.

Previous research has consistently found sexual prejudice to be a predictor of antigay aggression and has also revealed specific correlates and antecedents of sexual prejudice. However, extant literature reveals mixed findings about potential racial group differences in sexual prejudice, and few studies have examined racial differences in the correlates of sexual prejudice. The aims of this descriptive study were to determine whether there are (a) racial group differences in reports of sexual prejudice and (b) racial group differences in previously identified correlates of sexual prejudice. Participants were 195 heterosexual males, ages 18 to 30 (98 Blacks and 97 Whites), recruited from a large metropolitan city in the southeastern United States. Based on cultural differences in the influence of religion and in attitudes about male sexuality, it was hypothesized that Black participants would report higher sexual prejudice than White participants. Additionally, based on cultural differences in racial views on masculinity and in sociocultural experiences of male gender roles, it was hypothesized that Blacks would report greater endorsement of religious fundamentalism and the traditional male role norm of status than Whites. Results confirmed all of the hypothesized racial differences and revealed additional differences, including a differential effect of the traditional male role norm of status on sexual prejudice, which explains, at least in part, the racial differences found in sexual prejudice. These findings may reflect underlying cultural differences between Black and White males and may aid in the development of future efforts to reduce sexual prejudice and consequently antigay aggression toward sexual minorities.

The impact of masculinity on safety oversights, safety priority and safety violations in two male-dominated occupations

BackgroundAlthough men have a higher risk of occupational injuries than women the role of masculinity for organizational safety outcomes has only rarely been the object of research. AimThe current study investigated the association between masculinity and safety oversights, safety priority and safety violations in two male-dominated occupations using both a trait-based and a norm-based approach to masculinity. MethodsQuestionnaires covering trait-based (Bem Sex Role Inventory, BSRI) and norm-based (Male Role Norms Inventory – Revised, MRNI-R) measures of masculinity, three safety-related context factors (safety leadership, commitment of the safety representative, and safety involvement) and three safety-related outcome factors (safety violations, safety oversights and safety priority) were administered twice 12months apart to Danish ambulance workers (n=1157) and slaughterhouse workers (n=920). ResultsAlthough the level of masculinity differed, the same general pattern of associations was identified across the two study populations. A high score on the MRNI was associated with a higher level of safety violations and a reduced propensity to report safety oversights to supervisors. A high score on the BSRI masculinity scale was associated with a higher propensity to report safety oversights, while BSRI femininity was not associated with any of the safety measures. ConclusionNorm-based aspects of masculinity are suitable for analysing the association between masculinity and safety outcomes, whereas trait-based theories do not show strong associations with safety outcomes. ImplicationsThe association between norm-based masculinity and safety measures might be used in tailoring and developing new preventive measures that specifically address masculinity and male role norms.

Father‟s Masculinity Ideology and Their Adolescent‟s Perception of Father‟s Love

The present study was undertaken to explore the relationship between masculinity ideology of fathers and perception of father's love among adolescents. The Urdu translated versions of the Male Role Norms Inventory Revised (MRNI-R) and the Fatherhood Scale (FS) was used on a Pakistani population. The study was carried out with a sample of 308, consisting of 154 father-adolescent dyads. It was found that responsible paternal engagement had a high negative correlation with masculinity ideology. It was also negatively correlated with extreme self-reliance, aggression, dominance, restrictive emotionality and total MRNI R. No differences were found between perceptions of boys and girls, however it was found that young adolescents perceived their fathers as most involved and engaged as compared to middle and late adolescents. Results also showed that first born perceived their fathers more positively; but this was only true for boys.

Male Role Norms, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Colorectal Cancer Screening among Young Adult African American Men.

Racial disparities in health among African American men (AAM) in the United States are extensive. In contrast to their White counterparts, AAM have more illnesses and die younger. AAM have colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates 25% and 50% higher, respectively, than White men. Due to CRC’s younger age at presentation and high incidence among AAM, CRC screening (CRCS) is warranted at the age of 45 rather than 50, but little is known about younger AAM’s views of CRCS. Employing survey design, the purpose of the study was to describe the male role norms (MRN), knowledge, attitudes, perceived subjective norms, and perceived barriers associated with screening for CRC among a non-random sample of 157 young adult AAM (ages 19–45). Sixty-seven percent of the study sample received a passing knowledge score (85% or better), yet no significant differences were found among the three educational levels (i.e., low, medium, high). More negative attitudes toward CRCS correlated with the participants’ strong perceptions of barriers, but no extremely negative or positive MRN and perceived subjective norms were found. The factors significantly associated with attitudes were family history of cancer (unsure), work status, and perceived barriers. Findings from this study provide a solid basis for developing structured health education interventions that address the salient factors shaping young adult AAM’s view of CRC and early detection screening behaviors.

Male Role Norm Endorsement and Sexism Predict Heterosexual College Men’s Attitudes Toward Casual Sex, Intoxicated Sexual Contact, and Casual Sex

This study examined whether gender roles, particularly male role beliefs and sexism, may underlie self-reported attitudes toward and participation in casual sex and intoxication prior to sexual contact in a sample of heterosexual undergraduate men from the United States. We utilized online survey methods to examine whether men’s (N = 223 from a large mid-Atlantic University) endorsement of traditional masculinity (power and status, toughness, and anti-femininity) and sexist attitudes regarding women’s roles (hostile, benevolent) were related to engagement in casual sex (i.e., number of one-time-only sex partners), and whether masculinity was related to intoxicated sexual contact (i.e., propensity to consume alcohol prior to sexual contact). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) revealed that, as expected, endorsement of the toughness male role norm was positively associated with favorable attitudes toward casual sex, and endorsement of benevolent sexism was negatively associated with favorable attitudes toward casual sex. Favorable attitudes toward casual sex, in turn, were positively associated with men’s reported number of casual sex partners, as partially mediated by intoxicated sexual contact. Further, toughness endorsement was positively associated with number of casual sex partners via its positive association with intoxicated sexual contact; whereas power and status demonstrated the opposite, negative pattern. We discuss the contribution of this research to the broader literature on gender roles and sexual behavior and the utility of the findings for interventions aimed at reducing men’s casual sex behavior and intoxication prior to sexual contact.

Endorsement of male role norms and gay-related name-calling.

Endorsement of male role norms and gay-related name-calling.

Measure of Men’s Perceived Inexpressiveness Norms (M2PIN): Scale development and psychometric properties.

The purpose of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Measure of Men’s Perceived Inexpressiveness Norms (M2PIN), a brief measure of men’s perceptions of social norms concerning emotional inexpressiveness. Participants were 410 men, the majority of whom were White American college students. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) provided support for a 2-factor structure corresponding to 2 subscales—M2PIN-Descriptive (assessing perceived descriptive norms) and M2PIN-Injunctive (assessing perceived injunctive norms). Using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Intention to Seek Counseling Inventory (ISCI; Psychological and Interpersonal Concerns subscale), the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLALS), the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory-46 (CMNI-46; Emotional Control subscale), the Male Role Norms Inventory-Revised (MRNI; Restrictive Emotionality subscale), and the Short Social Desirability Scale (SSDS), the authors provided evidence for the convergent, discriminant, criterion, and incremental validity of the M2PIN, as well as its reliability. Additionally, 3 significant interaction effects involving the M2PIN subscales and measures of restrictive emotionality and emotional control provide support for the notion that an incongruence between external norms (i.e., descriptive and injunctive norms) and personal norms concerning emotional inexpressiveness was associated with greater loneliness, whereas congruence was associated with greater life satisfaction.

Male Role Norms Inventory–Short Form (MRNI-SF): Development, confirmatory factor analytic investigation of structure, and measurement invariance across gender.

The current study reports the development from the Male Role Norms Inventory-Revised (MRNI-R; Levant, Rankin, Williams, Hasan, & Smalley, 2010) of the 21-item MRNI-Short Form (MRNI-SF). Confirmatory factor analysis of MRNI-SF responses from a sample of 1,017 undergraduate participants (549 men, 468 women) indicated that the best fitting "bifactor" model incorporated the hypothesized 7-factor structure while explicitly modeling an additional, general traditional masculinity ideology factor. Specifically, each item-level indicator loaded on 2 factors: a general traditional masculinity ideology factor and a specific factor corresponding to 1 of the 7 hypothesized traditional masculinity ideology norms. The bifactor model was assessed for measurement invariance across gender groups, with findings of full configural invariance and partial metric invariance, such that factor loadings were equivalent across the gender groups for the 7 specific factors but not for the general traditional masculinity ideology factor. Theoretical explanations for this latter result include the potential that men's sense of self or identity may be engaged when responding to questions asking to what extent they agree or disagree with normative statements about their behavior, a possibility that could be investigated in future research by examining the associations of the general and specific factors with measures of masculine identity. Additional exploratory invariance analyses demonstrated latent mean differences between men and women on 4 of the 8 factors, and equivocal results for invariance of item intercepts, item uniquenesses, and factor variances-covariances.