Masculine Gender Role Conflict Research Articles

Australian men's help-seeking intentions for anxiety symptoms: The impact of masculine norm conformity and gender role conflict

Research highlights a discrepancy between the number of men experiencing mental illness and those seeking professional help, particularly for anxiety. Conformity to masculine norms (CMN) and gender role conflict (GRC) have been recognised as barriers to men's mental health help-seeking, but few studies have examined these relationships for anxiety. This study aimed to examine the relationship between anxiety severity and help-seeking intentions in Australian men, and the additional impact of CMN and GRC. A total of 610 Australians aged 18–89 years (M = 46.02, SD = 17.14) participated in an online survey, which included demographic information and four standardised questionnaires measuring anxiety, help-seeking intentions, CMN, and GRC. CMN but not GRC was found to fully mediate the relationship between anxiety severity and anxiety-related help-seeking intentions. The results have theoretical implications for the study of masculinity and clinical implications for therapeutic approaches for men with anxiety symptoms.

Examining the Role of Traditional Masculinity and Depression in Men's Risk for Contracting COVID-19.

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic and claims that traditional masculinity may put some men at increased risk for infection, research reporting men’s health behaviors is critically important. Traditional masculine norms such as self-reliance and toughness are associated with a lower likelihood to vaccinate or follow safety restrictions. Furthermore, infection risk and traditional masculinity should be investigated in a differentiated manner including gender role orientation, underlying traditional masculine ideologies and male gender role conflict. In this pre-registered online survey conducted during March/April 2021 in German-speaking countries in Europe, 490 men completed questionnaires regarding contracting COVID-19 as confirmed by a validated test, fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S), and experience of psychological burden due to COVID-19. In addition, depression symptomatology was assessed by using prototypical internalizing and male-typical externalizing depression symptoms. Furthermore, self-identified masculine gender orientation, endorsement of traditional masculinity ideologies, and gender role conflict were measured. A total of 6.9% of men (n = 34) reported having contracted COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Group comparisons revealed that men who had contracted COVID-19 exhibited higher overall traditional masculine ideology and gender role conflict. Logistic regression controlling for confounders (age, income, education, and sexual orientation) indicated that only depression symptoms are independently associated with the risk of having contracted COVID-19. While prototypical depression symptoms were negatively associated with the risk of having contracted COVID-19, male-typical externalizing depression symptoms were positively associated with the risk of contracting COVID-19. For traditional masculinity, no robust association for an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 could be established, while higher male-typical externalizing depression symptoms were associated with an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

Austrian male patients\u2019 gender role conflict is associated with their wish for interpersonal violence to be addressed during patient-physician conversations: a questionnaire study

BackgroundExperiencing interpersonal violence and disclosing this experience to physicians can be associated with fear, shame, denial or emotional turmoil. Expressions of such feelings additionally conflict with masculine gender role ideologies and may be experienced as masculine gender role conflict. Masculine gender role conflict is often associated with men’s unwillingness to seek professional help. The current study analyzed the association between masculine gender role conflict and men’s wish for patient-physician conversations to include questions about interpersonal violence they might have experienced.MethodsIn structured closed-ended interviews conducted at an Austrian hospital 129 male patients (Mage = 59.4, SD = 14.7) were asked what forms of interpersonal violence they had experienced. Additionally, a study-specific questionnaire was used to find out whether male patients wanted future physician-patient conversations to include questions about interpersonal violence they might have experienced. Men’s gender role conflict was assessed with the Gender Role Conflict Scale-Short Form.ResultsHalf of the male patients (50%) reported having experienced at least one form of interpersonal violence. Nearly half of the men (48%) wanted their physician to ask them in future about any violence they might have experienced. One pattern of gender role conflict was positively associated with men’s wish to be asked in patient-physician conversations about potential interpersonal violence. Namely, men who reported conflicts between work and family relations were more likely to state that they wanted such conversations (OR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.1–2.4) than were men who did not often experience this pattern of gender role conflict.ConclusionsExperiences of interpersonal violence should be an important part of physician-patient conversations with male patients. Overall, male patients would welcome their physician initiating a potential conversation about violence. Using an approach that takes consideration of masculine gender role ideologies may further increase some men’s willingness to approach the topic of interpersonal violence. Men who adhere to the norm of being preoccupied with work may be more willing to talk about this subject if healthcare situations are framed in a way that men perceive the possibility to uphold masculine gender role ideologies of self-sufficiency or of being in control.

Masculine Ideology and Gender Role Conflict among Pastor’s Husband

Abstract This study aims to measure the correlation between masculine ideology and gender role conflict among the pastor's husband. This study included 40 GBKP pastors' husbands using two measuring scales, namely the male role norm scale compiled by Thompson &Pleck (1986) and the gender role conflict scale compiled by O'Neil et al. (1986). Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient statistics revealed a positive relationship between masculine ideology and gender role conflict, r=0.484 at p<.05. The findings were discussed, and suggestions made. Keywords: Masculine ideology, gender role conflict, pastor

The role of masculine norms and gender role conflict on prospective well-being among men.

The role of masculine norms and gender role conflict on prospective well-being among men.

Validation of the Internal Structure of a German-Language Version of the Gender Role Conflict Scale - Short Form.

The Gender Role Conflict Scale – Short Form (GRCS-SF) assesses a person’s masculine gender role conflict. Masculine gender role conflict results when a person experiences discomfort showing a certain behavior because it is in conflict with masculine norms. The aim of the study was to test the questionnaire’s psychometric properties in an Austrian sample of older men. Three alternative structural models of the GRCS-SF were tested with confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). The maximum-likelihood method and the Bollen–Stine Bootstrap Method were used to estimate the fit indices of the CFA. Convergent validity was tested by correlating the GRCS-SF with the Sexual Performance Belief Scale (SPBS). Participating in the study were 127 male in-patients of a university hospital. Men’s average age was 59.5 (SD = 14.6) years. The one-factor model did not fit the empirical data well. In contrast, both the four-factor structure model and the bifactor structure model were supported. Good internal consistencies indicated acceptable reliabilities of the questionnaire’s scales. As expected, moderate to large correlations with the SPBS were detected. These findings support the claim that the GRCS-SF is a reliable and valid tool for assessing men’s gender role conflict also in a sample of older men in Austria.

El conflicto de rol de género masculino y su vinculación con el acoso escolar (bullying)

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the masculine gender role conflict and school bullying. The sample was made up of 786 Spanish adolescents boys, aged 12 to 17 years (M = 14.5, SD = 1.58). Three groups of adolescents boys were distinguished according with their experimentation of the gender role conflict: high, average and low. The results of the ANOVAS indicated that the construct of gender role conflict and their conflict patterns were related to the different forms of school bullying and victimization. Bullying seems to be configured as a response to the fail in adhering the restrictive gender roles and also a way of punish peers who do not adhere these restrictive roles.

Relational Health and Masculine Gender-Role Conflict in the Friendships and Community Relationships of Bisexual, Gay, and Straight Men

This study examined how men's masculine gender-role conflict and the importance men placed on interpersonal relationships in defining their self-identities predicted their relational health experiences in same-sex, dyadic friendships and community relationships. Using an Internet sample of 283 self-identified bisexual, gay, and straight men, results of hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that for men across sexual orientations, the more importance men placed on interpersonal relationships with other men, the greater the degree of relational health they experienced in dyadic friendships. Additionally, for bisexual and gay men in dyadic friendships with other men, gender-role conflict was inversely related to the relational health of their friendships. In the domain of community relationships, the importance that bisexual and straight men placed on interpersonal relationships in defining their self-identities and levels of gender-role conflict predicted relational health experiences. For gay men, however, feelings of masculine gender-role conflict, alone, predicted poorer relational health in community relationships. Study limitations, clinical implications for practice, and future research directions are discussed.

"Emo" Culture and Gender Norms in Late Adolescents and Young Adults

The present study examined the extent to which youth who endorse emo subculture reject the traditional masculine norm of restrictive emotionality. It also examined the relationships between endorsement and rejection of emo subculture and traditional masculine and feminine norms and masculine gender role conflict. In Study 1 (N = 13) three focus groups were conducted to create the mixed methods Emo Culture Questionnaire (ECQ). In Study 2 (N = 164) exploratory factor analysis of the quantitative part of the ECQ resulted in a 15-item, 4-factor scale; however, due to low reliabilities, only two scales were used in the analyses. Three hypotheses were mostly supported. The endorsement of emo subculture by men was negatively associated with their Restrictive Emotionality subscale scores of both the Male Role Norms Inventory-Revised (MRNI-R) and Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS). The endorsement of emo subculture by women was negatively associated with their MRNI-R Restrictive Emotionality scores but was not positively associated their Femininity Ideology Scale (FIS) Emotionality scores. Negative views of the emo subculture by both men and women were positively correlated with their MRNI-R Restrictive Emotionality scores. An exploratory question found that the endorsement of emo subculture had significant negative correlations with three additional MRNI-R subscales and the total scale for men and with five MRNI-R subscales and the total scale for women. In addition, the endorsement of emo subculture had significant negative correlations with two FIS subscales, and with two additional GRCS subscales and the total scale for men. Qualitative results from the ECQ indicated that while the label “emo” may not function as a personal identifier, the music, fashion, and behavior thus identified remain popular.

Masculinity, Moral Atmosphere, and Moral Functioning of High School Football Players

In order to identify factors associated with on-field moral functioning among student athletes within the unique context of football, we examined masculine gender role conflict, moral atmosphere, and athletic identity. Using structural equation modeling to assess survey data from 204 high school football players, results demonstrated that moral atmosphere (i.e., the influence of coaches and teammates) was significantly associated with participants' process of on-field moral functioning across the levels of judgment, intention, and behavior. Neither masculine gender role conflict nor athletic identity significantly predicted moral functioning, but the results indicated that participants' identification with the athlete role significantly predicted conflict with socialized gender roles. Results suggest that in the aggressive and violent sport of football, coaches can have a direct influence on players' moral functioning process. Coaches can also have an indirect effect by influencing all the players so that a culture of ethical play can be cultivated among teammates and spread from the top down.

Masculinities, the Metrosexual, and Media Images: Across Dimensions of Age and Ethnicity

By inviting two generations of ethnically diverse men to define masculinity, this study makes visible ways men conform to, negotiate, and resist forces of hegemonic masculinity in the 21st century. Masculine gender role conflict theory provides underpinning for a textual analysis of empirical evidence gathered among U.S. young college men (N = 80) in focus groups and their fathers/uncles (N = 27) during interviews. Findings suggest that masculinities predominantly are defined in non-physical terms. Perspectives offered by African-American/Black, Asian, Caucasian/White, and Hispanic/Latino men offer nuanced cross-cultural constructions and meanings of masculinities and influences that shape their sense of self. Reported overall was anxiety, confusion, and frustration—especially with regard to the metrosexual and (in)ability to measure up to media-promoted male body images.

Relations of masculinity ideology, conformity to masculine role norms, and masculine gender role conflict to men's attitudes toward and willingness to seek career counseling.

Relations of masculinity ideology, conformity to masculine role norms, and masculine gender role conflict to men's attitudes toward and willingness to seek career counseling.

Masculine gender role conflict and negative feelings about being gay.

Professional psychologists who work with gay men have noted that traditional masculine ideals play a prominent role in the gay community whereby some endorse these traditional ideals and stigmatize effeminate behavior by other gay men. One hypothesis is that this behavior reflects negative feelings about being gay. This article examined this hypothesis by reporting the results of an online survey of 622 self-identified gay men. Participants completed the Gender Role Conflict Scale, Lesbian and Gay Identity Scale, the Social Desirability Scale, and questions related to the importance of masculinity. Results showed that most participants valued the public appearance of masculinity; and they ideally wished to be more masculine than they felt they were (Cohen's d = 0.42). A multiple regression analysis showed that the degree to which they valued masculinity and were concerned with violating masculine ideals was positively related with negative feelings about being gay (Cohen's f(2) = .67). These findings highlight the importance of exploring the role that masculine ideals play in gay client's lives given that negative feelings about oneself can adversely affect psychological well-being.

Supplemental Material for Masculine Gender Role Conflict and Negative Feelings About Being Gay

Supplemental Material for Masculine Gender Role Conflict and Negative Feelings About Being Gay

Exploring entitlement as a moderator and mediator of the relationship between masculine gender role conflict and men's body esteem.

Extant literature has suggested that entitlement stemming from masculine gender role socialization may moderate and/or mediate the relationship between gender role conflict and intrapersonal variables. This study tested this assertion with 236 college men, with body esteem serving as the intrapersonal variable. Results revealed that both conceptualizations of entitlement (i.e., self-assertive and narcissistic) moderated the relationships between two components of gender role conflict (i.e., success/power/ competition and work-family conflict) and body esteem, with self-assertive entitlement (i.e., a more adaptive form) buffering these relationships and narcissistic entitlement (i.e., a more maladaptive form) strengthening these relationships. Narcissistic entitlement also strengthened the relationship between restricted affection between men and body esteem. In addition, self-assertive entitlement mediated the relationships between (a) restricted emotionality and body esteem, and (b) work-family conflict and body esteem.

Examining the relations between masculine gender role conflict and men's expectations about counseling.

Examining the relations between masculine gender role conflict and men's expectations about counseling.

Masculine role adherence and outcomes among men with traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant health problem disproportionately affecting men and is often associated with changes in masculine role functioning in life domains such as vocational functioning, sexual and inter-personal functioning and personal independence. These changes could have serious implications for men's adjustment following injury. The aim of this study was to examine the relations among traditional masculine role adherence, psychosocial adjustment and rehabilitation outcomes in men with TBI.Research design: A correlational design was chosen to examine the relations among variables. Spearman correlations and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used to examine relationships between masculine role variables and outcome variables.Methods and procedures: The study included 33 men with TBI who had been discharged from inpatient rehabilitation within 5 years. Participants completed surveys on traditional masculine gender role adherence and gender role conflict and additional data, including measures of functional outcome, life satisfaction, psychosocial outcomes and earnings, were obtained through the TBI Model System longitudinal data collection system.Main outcomes and results: The results revealed significant associations between masculine role adherence and satisfaction with life, follow-up earnings and FIM change from admission to discharge.Conclusions:In the current study, particular masculine role variables corresponded to different functional and psychological outcomes. Understanding these differences provides new directions for treatment and offers important information about aspects of traditional masculine roles that may enhance or hinder adjustment to injury.

Examining Masculine Gender-Role Conflict and Stress in Relation to Religious Orientation and Spiritual Well-Being in Australian Men

This study investigated the relationship between masculine gender-role conflict and stress factors, on one hand, and religious orientation and spiritual well-being, on the other, using a sample of Australian men. Participants were separated into two groups based on their self-reported level of religiousness. There were 73 participants in the religious group (who described themselves as “somewhat,” “very,” or “extremely religious”) and 70 participants in the non-religious group (who identified themselves as “not-at-all” or “not very religious”). All participants completed a personal information sheet and four questionnaires: The Gender Role Conflict Scale, The Gender Role Stress Scale, The Intrinsic-Extrinsic Religious Orientation Scale-Revised, and The Spiritual Well-Being Scale. As predicted, the nonreligious men exhibited higher levels of masculine gender-role conflict and stress than religious men. Separate canonical correlation analyses for the two groups revealed significant relationships between the...

Measurement of Men's Help Seeking: Development and Evaluation of the Barriers to Help Seeking Scale.

This article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the Barriers to Help Seeking Scale (BHSS). The measure was designed to assess reasons men identify for not seeking professional help for mental and physical health problems. Exploratory factor analyses in a sample of 537 undergraduate men revealed a 5-factor solution of internally consistent subscales, including Need for Control and Self-Reliance, Minimizing Problem and Resignation, Concrete Barriers and Distrust of Caregivers, Privacy, and Emotional Control. A separate study of 58 undergraduate men confirmed the reliability of the scale and provided evidence of convergent and criterion validity between the BHSS and measures of masculine gender-role conflict and attitudes toward seeking professional help.

Attachment Styles: Relationship to Masculine Gender Role Conflict in College Men.

This study examined the relationship between masculine gender role conflict and attachment in college men. One hundred seventy male undergraduate students completed the Gender Role Conflict Scale (J. M. O’ Neil, B. Helms, R. Gable, L. David, & L. Wrightsman, 1986) and the Relationship Questionnaire (K. Bartholomew & L. M. Horowitz, 1991). The results demonstrated that men with secure attachment styles had significantly less gender role conflict with Restrictive Emotionality when compared with men with preoccupied, dismissive, or fearful attachment styles. In addition, men with a secure attachment style had significantly less conflict with Success, Power, and Competition when compared with men with fearful attachment styles. Implications of the results for understanding the relationship between attachment and masculine gender role conflict are discussed.