Masculinity Factor Research Articles

Illicit drug use and male barroom aggression among members of the Australian construction industry: Associations with personality and masculinity factors.

IntroductionIllicit drug use has been found to increase the risks of male barroom aggression (MBA). Personality traits such as dispositional aggressiveness have been associated with illicit substance use and aggressive behaviour, along with social normative masculinity factors. The present study assessed the relationships between illicit drug use, key personality (trait aggression, impulsivity, narcissism) and masculinity (conformity to masculine norms, male honour) variables with physical MBA perpetration and victimisation among male Australian construction workers.MethodsA purposive, high‐risk sample of male construction workers aged 18–69 years (n = 476, M age = 25.90 years, SDage = 9.44) completed interviews at their place of work or training.ResultsParticipants reported high rates of both physical MBA perpetration (21%; n = 100) and victimisation (31.1%; n = 148) as well as any illicit drug use (33.61%; n = 160). Logistic regressions revealed the use of amphetamine‐type stimulants (methamphetamine, ecstasy) was associated with violence perpetration, even after accounting for high‐intensity drinking (HID) which was the strongest predictor of MBA involvement. Trait variables (Trait Physical aggressiveness, narcissism) and the masculine norm CMNI Violence were also risk factors for MBA perpetration while CMNI Playboy was protective against MBA.Discussion and ConclusionsThe use of amphetamine‐type stimulants is a risk‐factor for MBA perpetration, as are key personality traits such as aggressiveness and narcissism. Most aspects of masculinity, including male honour, were either unrelated to or protective against involvement in physical violence in bars, clubs or pubs.

Masculinity and compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended health practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been documented that men are suffering more severe illnesses and deaths in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic than women, which is thought to be due to a combination of biological and behavioral factors, paralleling men's greater morbidity and mortality overall. The present study tested and found support for four hypotheses regarding a model of the relationships between traditional masculinity ideology (TMI) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended COVID-19 practices (CDC adherence), as mediated by conformity to several masculine norms and moderated by conspiratorial attitudes toward the pandemic (conspiratorial attitudes). Data were collected online from a convenience sample of U.S. men that was selected to be nationally representative in terms of race/ethnicity and region of residence (N = 306; Mean age 41.79; SD = 15.90). Conditional process modeling was used to test the model, revealing moderated mediation relationships between masculinity variables and CDC adherence conditional on conspiratorial attitudes. TMI was indirectly and inversely related to CDC adherence through conformity to playboy norms. These effects were strongest at high values of conspiratorial attitudes. Pursuit of status norms were associated with more CDC adherence but only at low levels of conspiratorial attitudes. The present study identified masculinity factors that are linked with men's CDC adherence to the CDC recommended practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the relationships among them. Future research should confirm the mediation results in a longitudinal or experimental study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Visual Analysis of Sekhmet’s Costumes and Attributes in Marvel Comic Book

The purpose of this study is to analyze the costume and attributes of Sekhmet's character in one of marvel's comic books titled "The Heroic Age: Prince of Power, where Sekhmet is a female supervillain character that was adapted from Egyptian mythology. In The Heroic Age: Prince of Power, issue 3, Sekhmet is visualized wearing costumes and attributes that match the description and visualization that can be found in ancient Egyptian artifacts. This research used descriptive qualitative with a narrative method and one of Tsukamoto's manga matrix theories, the costume matrix, to analyze further the ornaments and attributes that Sekhmet wore in the comic. This study found that Sekhmet's ornaments and costumes were indeed adapted from Egyptian mythology. However, even with so much similarity, there was an additional costume and attributes that differentiated the visualization of female supervillain Sekhmet and the Egyptian mythology goddess Sekhmet where female supervillain Sekhmet is visualized wearing attributes and costumes specialized for male soldiers, which adds masculinity factor to Sekhmet's female character.
 Keywords: Egyptian Mythology; Manga Matrix; Marvel; Sekhmet; Visual Analysis

Hidden trauma: Men’s non-disclosure of female perpetrated partner violence in selected communities of Limpopo Province

Purpose of the study: The current study was aimed at exploring men’s non-disclosure of intimate partner violence at Sekhukhune District in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
 Methodology: Qualitative research methodology and exploratory research design were applied to successfully explore heterosexual men’s non-disclosure of intimate partner violence. A non-probability sampling of blended convenience sampling and snowball sampling was employed. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions and was analysed through thematic analysis of qualitative data.
 Main findings: This study found that male victims of partner violence hide their situations. Determinants of non-disclosure were found to include men’s personal feelings of fear to disclose, masculinity factors, societal expectations, and cultural norms, which negatively affect men’s decisions to disclose. Avoidance of possible harm and judgement from others appeared to influence non-disclosure.
 Novelty/originality of the study: The findings of the study raise concern for lack of knowledge on violence against men. Social services professionals can use the findings to advocate for male victims’ rights and use the same resources aimed at helping female victims to provide protection and psychosocial assistance to male victims. The public needs to be made aware that women are not the only victims of IPV and as such be educated about the vulnerability of male victims.

Male Barroom Aggression among Members of the Australian Construction Industry: Associations with Heavy Episodic Drinking, Trait Variables and Masculinity Factors.

Introduction and Aims: Past research indicates heavy episodic drinking (HED), trait aggression, male honour and conformity to masculine norms are risk factors for male barroom aggression (MBA) perpetration. However, little is known about the impact of these variables on experiences of MBA victimization. Further, data derived previously, particularly in relation to perpetration have come from relatively low-risk samples comprising university students, limiting the generalizability of findings to other, at-risk male groups. Thus, the present study assessed the impact of the aforementioned variables as well as personality constructs of impulsivity and narcissism on both the perpetration of and victimization from MBA among a high-risk sample sourced from male members of the Australian construction industry. Method: A purposive sample of Australian male construction workers aged 18 to 69 years (n = 476, Mage = 25.90, SDage = 9.44) completed individual interviews at their current place of employment or while training at various trade schools in Geelong and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Items related to past month HED, past year experiences of verbal and physical MBA (perpetration and victimization), trait aggression’s four factors (physical, verbal, anger, hostility), impulsivity, narcissism, male honour and conformity to masculine norms. Results: Participants reported high levels of verbal (24.2%) and physical (21%) MBA perpetration and verbal (33.6%) and physical (31.1%) MBA victimization. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses identified HED as the strongest predictor of aggression involvement, while trait physical aggression, trait anger, narcissism and conformity to norms endorsing violence and a need to win were significantly and positively associated with MBA perpetration. Conclusions: The present study reinforces the key relationships between heavy drinking and aspects of personality and MBA, while also highlighting narcissism as a risk factor for barroom aggression perpetration. Indeed, personality profiles and HED appear to exert stronger influences on MBA perpetration than socially constructed masculinity factors, most of which were unrelated to aggression involvement in bars, clubs or pubs.

The multidimensionality of masculine norms in east Zimbabwe: implications for HIV prevention, testing and treatment.

Background:Research and intervention studies suggest that men face challenges in using HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa. To address these challenges, quantitative measurements are needed to establish the individual-level determinants of masculine norms and their implications for HIV prevention and treatment programmes.Methods:Survey questions for four masculine norms identified in qualitative research were included in a general-population survey of 3116 men in east Zimbabwe, 2012–2013. Two sets of regression analyses were conducted in an structural equation modelling framework to examine: which sociodemographic characteristics were associated with high scores on each masculinity factor; and how high scores on these masculinity factors differed in their associations with sexual risk behaviour and use of HIV services.Findings:Sociodemographic characteristics associated with high factor scores differed between masculine norms. In HIV-negative men, more men with scores exceeding one standard deviation above the mean (high scorers) for antifemininity than men with scores under one standard deviation below the mean (low scorers) took steps to avoid infection (61 versus 54%, P < 0.01). Fewer high than low scorers on social status reported a recent HIV test (69 versus 74%, P = 0.04). In HIV-positive men, more high scorers on sex drive had been diagnosed (85 versus 61%, P = 0.02), were on antiretroviral treatment (91 versus 62%, P = 0.04), and were in AIDS groups (77 versus 46% P = 0.03).Conclusion:HIV treatment, prevention programmes looking to engage men must consider the multidimensionality of masculine norms. The scale developed in this study is robust and can be used by other large multipurpose surveys to examine masculine social norms.

Identifying the male prosocial niche: the gender-typing of prosocial behaviour across childhood and adolescence

Across childhood and adolescence prosocial behaviour is consistently female-typed. This is in contrast to patterns in adulthood suggesting that some prosocial behaviour, congruent with the male gender role, is distinctly male-typed. This study investigated the gender-typing of prosocial behaviour in children and adolescents aged 9–19 years. 1189 participants rated 24 prosocial items on a 5-point masculinity/femininity scale. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a distinct subset of seven behaviours, characterised by masculine qualities that loaded onto a separate, masculine factor. Contrary to previous studies, these results suggest that male-typed prosocial behaviour, or a ‘male prosocial niche’, exists before adulthood.

Gender and Bullying: Application of a Three-Factor Model of Gender Stereotyping

The Three-Factor Model (Choi, Fuqua & Newman, 2008, 2009), which consists of a feminine factor and two masculine ones, seems especially appropriate for explaining the influence of gender-stereotypic traits on bullying, since it specifically differentiates between “social masculinity”, the first masculine factor, dealing with behaviors toward others, and “personal masculinity”, the second masculine factor, tapping the personal dimension. Our study aims at examining the relation between social masculinity and bullying, the prediction being that bullying will be more strongly related to social masculinity traits of power and social dominance. The Personality Traits Questionnaire (Lopez-Saez, Morales & Lisbona, 2008) was administered, together with the Instrument to assess the Incidence of Involvement in Bullying/Victim Interactions at School (CAME, Rigby & Bagshaw, 2003), to 2560 native Spanish High School students from Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla-Leon. The appropriateness of the Three-Factor Model for the explanation of bullying was tested via regression computed separately for the boys and the girls to see which factors most predict bullying. It was found that bullies, boys as well as girls, were higher in social masculinity traits. No differences appeared in femininity between students involved in bullying and those not involved. Regarding the Three-Factor Model, the social masculinity factor did explain aggression both for boys and girls, while femininity was significant only for girls. In the final discussion some implications for educational practice are suggested.

Alcohol, masculinity, honour and male barroom aggression in an Australian sample

The link between alcohol and men's aggression is well established, although growing evidence also points to individual and learned social factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between male alcohol-related aggression (MARA) among young Australian men and heavy episodic drinking, trait aggression, masculinity, concerns about social honour and expected positive consequences of MARA. The total sample comprised 170 men aged 18-25 years who completed an online questionnaire exploring beliefs and attitudes towards MARA. Those who reported heavy episodic drinking were more likely to be involved in an incident of MARA. In addition, those who were involved in MARA had higher levels of trait aggression, concern for social honour and expected positive consequences of aggression in bars than did those without such involvement. The relationship between socially constructed masculinity factors (a combined variable reflecting masculinity, social honour and expected positive consequences) and MARA was mediated by heavy episodic drinking. Social honour accounted for almost all of the predictive power of masculinity factors. Heavy episodic drinking and trait aggression remained significant predictors of MARA in a multivariate model. The findings from the current study may assist in developing preventative techniques for young men which target masculinity concerns and the consequences of participating in MARA.

Seminogram in Male Partners of Infertile Couples

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;: Infertility is defined as failure to conceive within one or more years of regular unprotected coitus. The infertility state is dependent on the female factor as well as masculine factor; an altered masculine factor is designated when any cause or causes of infertility reside in the male. The masculine factor as a cause of infertility is present in 40-50 % of cases hence the importance of an integral evaluation of the male alterations and its fertility.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objectives&lt;/strong&gt;: The present study aims to assess the seminal patterns of male partners of 100 infertile couples for various parameters and their possible contribution to infertility.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Material and Methods&lt;/strong&gt;: The present study was conducted on male partners of 100 infertile couples who were referred by Gynecology and Obstetric department to Pathology Department, Government Medical College, Patiala for semen examination. The semen was collected by masturbation in all cases in a clean dry detergent free container. After liquefaction and mixing, basic analysis was done which includes volume, viscosity, pH, spermatozoal concentration, motility and morphology. Data was evaluated by means of chi-square test.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;: Of 100 seminogram, 43% showed alterations in the seminal indexes; with asthenospermia in 39.5%, Oligoasthenospermia in 30.2%, Oligospermia in 16.2%, and Azoospermia in 13.9%.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;: Male factors were mostly responsible as a cause of infertility. Asthenospermia was the most common type of semen defect present in these infertile males. Most of the males with semen defect were of age group &amp;gt;30yrs. Incidence of semen defect among males increased with duration of infertility.&lt;/p&gt;

Men's reflections on participating in cancer rehabilitation: a systematic review of qualitative studies 2000-2013

This paper aims to report on a systematic review of qualitative studies on men's reflections on participating in cancer rehabilitation. Nine databases were systematically searched to identify qualitative papers published between 2000 and 2013. Papers were selected by pre-defined inclusion criteria and subsequently critically appraised. Key themes were extracted and synthesised. Fifteen papers were selected and represented. Four central themes were identified in the analytical process: 'changed life perspective', 'the masculinity factor', 'a desire to get back to normal' and 'the meaning of work'. Six peripheral themes were identified: 'the meaning of context', 'music', 'physical training', 'religion', 'humour' and 'the unmentionable'. The themes were synthesised into an integrative model representing men's reflections on participating in cancer rehabilitation. We conclude that existing qualitative literature offers insight into men's reflections on cancer rehabilitation and highlights the interrelationship between men's reflections on their changed life perspective, masculinity, orientation towards a normal life and getting back to work. Further research-based knowledge is needed to explore (1) the underlying causes and patterns of the men's needs, preferences and choices in rehabilitation; and (2) the health professional perspective on male cancer rehabilitation.

Evaluación de un compuesto de antioxidantes sobre los parámetros seminales de concentración, movilidad y morfología espermática en pacientes con oligoastenoteratozoospermia idiopática

Introduction Nowadays, the masculine factor is the person in charge of form isolated of 40 % of the cases of infertility of pair, sharing this protagonism of additional form in 20 % close to the feminine factor, for what of joint form, it represents 50 % of all the cases. In spite of the lack of scientific evidence, the empirical treatment has been in use widely and continues being done at present, basically to expense of compound of vitamins and other trace elements, which due to his antirust power, it would allow to improve seminal parameters as mobility or morphology. Objetive To study the changes in seminal parameters in a group of patients with idiophatic oligoastenoteratozoospermia, to whom they treatment was ruled by the antirust complex. Material and methods 40 patients with idiophatic oligoastenoteratozoospermia were treated by the complex antirust Androferti (Laboratory Q-Pharma). Conclusions The study demonstrated improvement of the seminal parameters concentration, progressive mobility and morphology to 3 and 6 months of treatment, presenting statistical significance the analysis of the information, which, given the improvement on the inventory of mobile sperms (REM), allows to these patients to come to technologies of assisted reproduction (TRA) as in vitro fertilization (FIV) or injection intracitoplasmática of sperms (ICSI) with major guarantee, or even, pairs who due to the initial REM necessarily had to resort to the above mentioned technology of reproduction, they can resort finally to artificial insemination (IAC) before the experienced improvement.

Assessing the Factor Structures of the 55- and 22-Item Versions of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory

The current study examined the psychometric properties of the abbreviated versions, 55- and 22-items, of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI). The authors tested the factor structure for the 11 subscales of the CMNI-55 and the global masculinity factor for the CMNI-55 and the CMNI-22. In a clinical sample of men and women (n=522), the results supported the 11-factor model. Furthermore, the factor structure was invariant for men and women. The higher order model, which tested the utility of the global masculine score, demonstrated marginal fit. The factor structures for the global masculinity score for the CMNI-22 demonstrated poor fit. Collectively, the results suggest that the CMNI-55 is better represented in a multidimensional construct. The subscales' alpha levels and factor loadings were, generally, within acceptable limits. Gender and ethnic mean level differences are also reported.

Images of God as They Relate to Life Satisfaction and Hopelessness

The purpose of the present study was to (a) re-evaluate a model of God images based on masculine and feminine characteristics and (b) examine how God images relate to hopelessness and life satisfaction, while controlling for additional religious variables. Participants were 254 college students. A factor analysis indicated that God images did not fall into primarily masculine or feminine factors, rather into Loving, Controlling, and Permissive God factors. Individually, these factors were not found to be significant predictors of hopelessness in a regression analysis, when religious service, participant gender, and religious orientation were controlled. However, an interaction between participant gender and the Controlling God factor indicated that women with more controlling images of God experienced more hopelessness, whereas men with more controlling images of God experienced less hopelessness. Results are discussed in relation to parental styles and gender differences as contributing factors in determining one's image of God.

Sociotropy, Autonomy, and Masculinity/Femininity: Implications for Vulnerability to Depression

To explore the magnitude of overlap between sociotropy and autonomy with sex-role orientation, relations of Beck's Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale with 6 measures of sex-role orientation were examined using a convenience sample of 153 undergraduate students. The sample included 95 women and 58 men whose mean age was 20.4 yr. A principal axis factor analysis yielded two dear factors, one masculine and one feminine. Sociotropy related strongly to the feminine factor, and Autonomy related strongly to the masculine factor. The mean score for women was significantly higher than that for men on Sociotropy, but the mean difference on Autonomy was not statistically significant. These findings suggest there may be some definitional overlap between vulnerability to depression and sex-role orientation.

Genetic interactions of the androgen and Wnt/beta-catenin pathways for the masculinization of external genitalia.

In most mammals, the sexually dimorphic development of embryos is typically achieved by the differentiation of the external genitalia. Hence, the sexual distinction of mammalian newborns is based on the external genital structure. Although it was shown in the 1940s and 1950s that androgen from the testes establishes the male sexual characteristics, the involvement of nongonadal and locally produced masculine effectors remains totally unknown. It is noteworthy that the disorders of fetal masculinization, including hypospadias, one of the most frequent birth defects, occur at a high frequency. Furthermore, their causative factors remain unclear. In this study, the involvement of the coordinated actions of androgen and the growth factor systems was genetically analyzed for the first time on mammalian reproductive organ formation. The results demonstrated that the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is indispensable masculine factor for the external genital development. The bilateral mesenchymal region adjacent to the urethral plate epithelium displayed a sexually dimorphic activity of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Loss- and gain-of-function beta-catenin mutants displayed altered sexual development of the external genitalia. These results indicate the novel functions of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway as a locally expressed masculine effector. This could be the first genetic study analyzing the roles of the genetic interactions between androgen and locally expressed growth factor signaling during the development of reproductive organs. These results also shed new insight on the reproductive genetics and the causative factors of genital disorders.

Genetic Interactions of the Androgen and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathways for the Masculinization of External Genitalia

In most mammals, the sexually dimorphic development of embryos is typically achieved by the differentiation of the external genitalia. Hence, the sexual distinction of mammalian newborns is based on the external genital structure. Although it was shown in the 1940s and 1950s that androgen from the testes establishes the male sexual characteristics, the involvement of nongonadal and locally produced masculine effectors remains totally unknown. It is noteworthy that the disorders of fetal masculinization, including hypospadias, one of the most frequent birth defects, occur at a high frequency. Furthermore, their causative factors remain unclear. In this study, the involvement of the coordinated actions of androgen and the growth factor systems was genetically analyzed for the first time on mammalian reproductive organ formation. The results demonstrated that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is indispensable masculine factor for the external genital development. The bilateral mesenchymal region adjacent to the urethral plate epithelium displayed a sexually dimorphic activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Loss- and gain-of-function β-catenin mutants displayed altered sexual development of the external genitalia. These results indicate the novel functions of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a locally expressed masculine effector. This could be the first genetic study analyzing the roles of the genetic interactions between androgen and locally expressed growth factor signaling during the development of reproductive organs. These results also shed new insight on the reproductive genetics and the causative factors of genital disorders.

Exploratory and Confirmatory Studies of the Structure of the Bem Sex Role Inventory Short Form With Two Divergent Samples

The short form of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) contains half as many items as the long form and yet has often demonstrated better reliability and validity. This study uses exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic methods to examine the structure of the short form of the BSRI. A structure noted elsewhere also emerged here, consisting of two masculine factors and a single feminine factor. The three-factor model was found to be invariant across gender groups and also across two divergent samples, the first sample of college students and the second sample of accountants. As expected, women were found to score higher on the feminine factor. On a masculine factor that seemed to represent social control, men scored significantly higher than women did. However, no differences were found between men and women on a second masculine factor that seemed to represent a more internal, self-control dimension.

Gender and Access to Antiretroviral Treatment in South Africa

This paper explores the gender dimensions of access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in South Africa. It shows that women are more vulnerable to HIV infection than men, but that women access HAART in disproportionately large numbers. Regression analysis on data from the South African Demographic and Health Survey suggests that men in general access health services less readily than women. This ‘masculinity factor’ accounts for most of the difference between men and women when it comes to accessing HAART. Although men were more likely to favor traditional medicine than women, this was not a statistically significant factor, and it appears that visiting a traditional healer is complementary to, rather than a substitute for, accessing HAART. In short, it seems that gendered norms that make it difficult for men to admit weakness and seek medical attention are the main probable cause for the low proportions of men accessing HAART.

P-1003: Fallopian tube sperm perfusion, 4 years of experience

To evaluate the results of Fallopian tube Sperm Perfusion (FSP) with 4 ml of inseminate without any blocking device, in terms of pregnancy rate. Retrospective study of patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyper stimulation for FSP in private infertility center. 407 infertile couples, undergoing 635 cycles, with unexplained, anovulatory and masculine factors infertility used husband semen and 51 infertile couples, undergoing 60 cycles, used donor semen. FSP was performed using a regular CCD catheter for intra uterine insemination (IUI) without any blocking device. A two-layer gradient technique was used for sperm preparation and inseminated in 4ml of Ham′s F-10 (5%SS) media, all patients were undergoing controlled ovarian hyper stimulation and insemination was 36 h after hCG administration, the speculum was kept locked, and clamping the cervix for at least 10 min., patients rested for 20 min after FSP. In the husband semen group the pregnancy rates were 20% per cycle and 34% per patient. In the donor semen group the pregnancy rates were 43% per cycle and 51% per patient. We obtain results that are comparable with other FSP studies, with or without blocking device, and higher than those in patients treated with standard IUI. FSP was easy to perform, and no case reflux was observed. The FSP is a comfortable and non expensive technique.