Masculine Stress Research Articles

Malignancy, masculinities, and psychological distress: Comparisons made between men with testicular cancer and healthy controls.

Psychological distress is common in men with testicular cancer (TC), and masculinities may work to explain this. This study aimed to compare masculinities and distress in TC and healthy control (HC) populations and explore relationships between correlates of distress (psychological flexibility and coping style) and masculinities in TC. A cross-sectional, online survey was completed by 92 men with TC (Mage =34.8) and 90 HC (Mage =30.7). Measures included psychological distress (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression/Anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence inventory-short form), masculinities (gender role conflict-short form, inventory of subjective masculinity experiences/subjective masculinity stress scale, masculinity in chronic disease inventory), coping style (mini-mental adjustment to cancer ) and psychological flexibility (comprehensive assessment of acceptance commitment therapy). Linear regressions were conducted to compare groups and analyse associations. There were no differences in masculinities or psychological distress between populations (all p>0.05 and all Cohen's d<0.20), except for subjective masculine stress and restrictive affectionate behaviour between men. For men with TC, restrictive affection/emotion, conflicts between family/work and subjective masculine stress were associated with psychological distress (rs 0.21-0.58). Optimistic action was negatively associated with depression/anxiety, helplessness/hopelessness coping (rs -0.27 to -0.42) and positively associated with psychological flexibility (r=0.35). Masculinities are implicated in psychological distress in men with TC. Psychological flexibility as well as leveraging masculine beliefs (e.g., optimistic action) may be modifiable targets to reduce distress in men with TC.

This meat or that alternative? How masculinity stress influences food choice when goals are conflicted.

This research integrates literature on masculinity stress-the distress experienced as the result of a perceived discrepancy with male gender norms-with research on goal conflict to examine preferences for plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs). Men experiencing masculinity stress are likely to hold salient a goal of being masculine, which should lead to less preference for PBMAs. However, many of these men simultaneously hold competing goals, such as making ethical food choices, which remain inhibited in favor of the focal masculinity goal. We argue that once men experiencing masculinity stress highlight their masculinity through the selection of a manly product, they satisfy that higher-order goal and are then free to pursue previously inhibited goals, such as making an ethical choice through the selection of PBMAs. We present the results of three studies supporting these expectations. Study 1 tests the link between masculinity stress and meat (alternative) consumption using consumer search behavior collected from Google Trends, showing that masculinity stress is positively (negatively) correlated with searches for red meat (PBMAs). Study 2 shows that men experiencing masculinity stress are more inclined to choose PBMAs, provided they are presented within a masculine product context. Study 3 presents a parallel mediation model, showing that ethical considerations (as opposed to masculine goals) shape the choice of PBMA preference. We conclude with a discussion of theoretical implications for the impression management strategies utilized by men experiencing masculinity stress and practical implications for the growing PBMA industry.

The impact of masculinity stress on preferences and willingness-to-pay for red meat

This work explores the effects of masculinity stress—distress arising from a perceived discrepancy with male gender norms—on red meat consumption, which has potentially substantial individual, collective, and ecological consequences. Across three studies, we demonstrate a positive indirect effect of masculinity stress on red meat consumption. This occurs through beliefs that meat consumption can augment masculinity—an effect which is moderated by one's self-assessed traditional masculinity (study 1). We further demonstrate attenuation of the effect of masculinity stress on red meat preference when a red meat product is associated with an out-group (i.e., women; study 2) and show that this effect does not extend to women. In study 3, we show that the effect of masculinity stress on choice of red meat is attenuated following a masculinity affirmation. We finish with a detailed discussion of implications and directions for future research. Taken together, we provide convergent evidence that masculinity stress is associated with red meat preference, and that this preference can be discouraged by leveraging out-group reference information and masculinity affirmation. In so doing, this research provides a series of contributions to the literatures on meat eating and vegetarianism specifically, as well as gender identity maintenance more broadly.

Integrating Theories of Gender and Sexuality With Deviance: The Case of Prescription Drug Misuse during Sex

Social scientists have expended substantial effort to identify group patterns of deviant behavior. Yet beyond the ill-conceived treatment of sexual minorities as inherently deviant, they have rarely considered how gendered sexual identities (GSIs) shape participation in deviance. We argue for the utility of centering theories of gender and sexuality in intersectional deviance research. We demonstrate how this intentional focus on gender and sexuality provides important empirical insights while avoiding past pitfalls of stigmatizing sexual minorities. Drawing on theories of hegemonic masculinity, emphasized femininity, and minority stress together with criminological general strain theory, we demonstrate how societal expectations and constraints generate strains among GSI groups that may lead to distinctly patterned deviance, using the case of prescription drug misuse during sex. We employ thematic analysis of 120 in-depth interviews with people who misuse prescription drugs, stratified by GSI. We identify six themes highlighting distinct pathways from strain to misuse during sex for different GSI groups: intimacy management, achieving sexual freedom, regulating sexual mood, performance confidence, increased sense of control, and managing sexual identity conflict. In this article, we demonstrate the empirical and theoretical importance of centering gender and sexuality in deviance research and provide a roadmap for theoretical integration.

Exertional heat stroke on fertility, erectile function, and testicular morphology in male rats

The association of exertional heat stroke (EHS) and testicular morphological changes affecting sperm quality, as well as the association of EHS and hypothalamic changes affecting sexual behavior, has yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of EHS on fertility, erectile function, and testicular morphology in male rats. Animals were exercised at higher room temperature (36 ℃ relative humidity 50%) to induce EHS, characterized by excessive hyperthermia, neurobehavioral deficits, hypothalamic cell damage, systemic inflammation, coagulopathy, and multiple organ injury. In particular, EHS animals had erectile dysfunction (as determined by measuring the changes of intracavernosal pressure and mean arterial pressure in response to electrical stimulation of cavernous nerves). Rats also displayed testicular temperature disruption, poorly differentiated seminiferous tubules, impaired sperm quality, and atrophy of interstitial Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and peri-tubular cells in the testicular tissues accompanied by no spermatozoa and broken cells with pyknosis in their seminal vesicle and prostatitis. These EHS effects were still observed after 3 days following EHS onset, at least. Our findings provide a greater understanding of the effect of experimentally induced EHS on masculine sexual behavior, fertility, stress hormones, and morphology of both testis and prostate.

The Moderating Role of Trait Anger in The Relationship between Masculine Stress and Intimate Partner Violence

There is a high rate of intimate partner violence (IPV) in urban settings. Previous research has found that masculine gender role stress (MGRS) and anger predict IPV. This study aimed to examine the moderating role of anger on the relationship between MGRS and IPV. The sample included 366 urban male college students across Java, who completed an online questionnaire. Measures used were the MGRS-A, BPAQ, and CTS2. Using Hayes’ moderation analysis, the model obtained a significant fit (R2 = .1039, F (3,362) = 13.994, p = .000). Both MGRS (p = .0264) and trait anger (p = .000) predicted IPV. The interaction between MGRS and anger was not significant (p = .0797). However, examination of the conditional effects revealed that there was a significant association between MGRS and IPV at moderate (p = .0264) and high levels of trait anger (p = .0058), but not at low levels of anger. Future studies should investigate the roles of anger expression, control behavior, and anger rumination.

Firm father figures: A moderated mediation model of perceived authoritarianism and the intergenerational transmission of gender messages from fathers to sons.

How do men develop sexist attitudes, gender role conflict, and subjective masculinity stress? These questions have been given little attention in the literature. Given the strong relationships between these variables and men's poorer mental health, it is essential to understand their antecedents. This study seeks to elucidate the manner in which perceptions of fathers may influence sons' gender attitudes and experiences. Using a sample of 170 undergraduate men, the authors proposed a model in which perceived paternal modeling of masculine norms and perceived paternal sexist communication mediate the relationship between perceived paternal authoritarianism and our three outcome variables: sons' sexism, gender role conflict, and subjective masculinity stress. They also hypothesized that the father-son relationship quality would moderate these mediating relations. Results were consistent with a model in which both perceived paternal modeling of masculine norms and perceived paternal sexist communication mediated the relationship between perceived paternal authoritarianism and sons' sexism. However, only the indirect effects from perceived paternal authoritarianism to gender role conflict and subjective masculinity stress through perceived paternal sexist communication were significant. Two significant moderated mediation findings underscore the complexities of the father-son relationship-the quality of this relationship was a risk factor for sons' sexism but a protective factor for sons' subjective masculinity stress. These results suggest an intricate portrait of the perceived influence of fathers on their sons' gender development and stress. Practical implications for counseling psychologists as they relate to both counseling and prevention are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Feminist Identity in Men: Masculinity, Gender Roles, and Sexual Approaches in Feminist, Non-Feminist, and Unsure Men

Research on feminist identification in men has often focused on men who identify as feminist or who assert agreement with feminist goals. For some men, however, choices surrounding feminist self-identification may be uncertain in ways that are meaningful indicators of their beliefs and values. We hypothesized that men who were uncertain about their feminist identity held beliefs that fell between their feminist and non-feminist peers, representing a unique ideological position. We tested this possibility by comparing feminist, “unsure”, and non-feminist U. S. college (n = 533) and community (n = 277) men’s masculinity stress and conformity, gender role values, and approaches to sexual relationships. Results showed that unsure men’s gender role values fell between feminist and non-feminist men, but unsure men were more like feminists for some components of masculinity and more like non-feminists for others; on some constructs, feminist, unsure, and non-feminist men were similar. For sexual relationships, all men were equally invested in a sexual partner’s pleasure, but unsure men and feminist men were less concerned with receiving sexual favors in exchange compared to non-feminists. We discuss how acknowledgement of men’s uncertainty about their feminist identity may be useful for how researchers assess men’s relationship to feminism, how instructors teach men about feminism in classroom settings, and how activists involve men in the feminist movement.

Male Asian international students' perceived racial discrimination, masculine identity, and subjective masculinity stress: a moderated mediation model.

This study examined male Asian international college students' perceptions of racial discrimination, subjective masculinity stress, centrality of masculine identity, and psychological distress by testing a moderated mediation model. Participants were 160 male Asian international college students from 2 large public universities. Participants' perceived racial discrimination was positively related to their subjective masculinity stress only at high (but not low) levels of masculine identity centrality. Additionally, subjective masculinity stress was positively related to psychological distress, although this association was stronger among those who reported high levels of masculine identity centrality. The authors also detected a moderated mediation effect in which subjective masculinity stress mediated the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and psychological distress only at high (but not low) levels of masculine identity centrality. These findings contribute to the counseling psychology literature by highlighting the connections between race- and gender-related stressors as well as the relevance of masculine identity to an understanding of men's mental health.

Reliability and validity of the masculine subordination stress scale in a rural Bangladesh sample

Purpose– The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the masculine subordination stress (MSS) scale in a rural Bangladesh population.Design/methodology/approach– The scale was validated using a sample of 342 Bangladeshi married men from five northwest villages of the country.Findings– Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single-factorial structure of the scale: MSS. The MSS also showed adequate reliability and concurrent validity. It appears that the MSS is a reliable and valid instrument to measure MSS for rural Bangladeshi men.Originality/value– The current study provides empirical support for the validity and reliability of the MSS in the rural Bangladesh context. Academicians and researchers who are seeking an instrument to assess masculine subordination-to-women stress may find it useful. Moreover, it may stimulate researchers to think about strategies for helping men to cope up with masculine stress from a positive viewpoint. It may also help practitioners to improve men's mental health at different settings.

The Subjective Masculinity Stress Scale: Scale development and psychometric properties.

This article describes the development and psychometric properties of the Subjective Masculinity Stress Scale (SMSS), which assesses the stress associated with men’s subjective experiences of what it means to be male. Two hundred twenty men from the United States completed the sentence, “As a ma n... ” 10 times, after which they indicated the frequency with which each of the 10 experiences was stressful. Evidence for the internal consistency and test–retest reliability as well as the convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity of the SMSS was provided. In terms of incremental validity, a multiple regression analysis revealed that after controlling for three other masculinity measures and a generic measure of stress, the SMSS remained significantly and positively related to psychological distress. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.

Stressful Experiences of Masculinity Among U.S.-Born and Immigrant Asian American Men

Explaining how stereotypes and norms influence role-identities during reflected appraisal processes, we develop a theory about diverse groups of minority men—the “minority masculinity stress theory”—and apply it to Asian American men. We conceptually integrate hegemonic masculinity, stereotypes, and mental health to examine how Asian American men experience masculinity and how their experiences are uniquely stressful. We analyze elicited text from an open-ended questionnaire to explain two experiences of masculinity-related stress: trying to live up to the masculine ideal and enacting work-related role-identities. Regarding the former, we discuss four illustrations—toughness, body image, restrictive emotionality, and heterosexuality—and two involving the latter—achiever and provider. We found that Asian American men receive stereotypical reflected appraisals that contradict potentially positive self-concepts and emphasize achievement beyond typical standards of hegemonic masculinity. Moreover, Asian American men’s role-identities contradict hegemonic masculinity, resulting in reflected appraisals that predispose them toward stress.

Masculinity issues in addiction treatment in Swiss inpatient alcohol programs: bringing men's treatment needs back to the research agenda

Background Various types of risk behaviors, including alcohol and drug consumption, are by far more frequent among men than among women. Men represent the majority of patients in addiction programs. However, the relationship between male gender role orientations and the treatment response is under researched. This paper sheds light on the relative importance of masculinity concepts within both the general population and a clinical sample, the perception of specific treatment needs by male alcohol patients, and the response to masculinity topics in treatment practice. Methods The study was conducted among 200 men in two Swiss alcohol inpatient programs, representative for the total patient load in the Swiss alcohol treatment system and included a matched population control group ( n = 200). The Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Male Role Norm Scale and the Masculine Gender Role Stress Scale were included in the group comparison. Results Patients show significantly lower values on the masculinity subscale and lower values on the femininity subscale than the control group: the ‘undifferentiated man’ is typical for the clinical setting. Patients who acknowledge men-specific treatment needs suffer significantly more from gender role stress and problems with sexuality and fatherhood than patients who are not aware of masculinity issues. For both topics, patients prefer a non-therapeutic setting. Group and individual therapy do not address sexuality and fatherhood issues. Conclusions These findings suggest that for specific subgroups of men an appropriate diagnosis should first check on sensitive masculinity issues, then assess gender role orientations and masculinity stress and provide adequate treatment modalities.

The feminine and masculine gender role stress — conclusions from Polish studies

The feminine and masculine gender role stress — conclusions from Polish studies The concept of gender role stress is based on the assumption that some women and men might have problems adapting to the feminine and masculine gender roles imposed on them by society. 1515 people took part in the study to verify feminine and masculine gender role stress models in the Polish population. The studies show that the five-factor feminine and masculine stress models are justified. Men display higher stress connected with "physical inadequacy" than women, whereas women score higher on other subscales associated with feminine and masculine gender role stress. Gender role stress is more connected with femininity. Personality correlates of gender role stress were sought.

Direct and Indirect Assessment of Gender Role Identification

Differences in gender role identification exist among both men and women. Earlier researchers have developed several instruments to measure the degree to which individuals identify with the masculine or feminine gender role. In the present study we examined a number of these measurement procedures. Undergraduate students (N = 45) were administered three direct and two indirect measures of gender role identification. In addition, participants were exposed to a psychological stress test that was relatively masculine. Findings reveal that direct and indirect instruments tap different underlying constructs of gender role identification that are nevertheless positively correlated. Furthermore, results suggest that one of the indirect measures, the Gender Implicit Association Test (GIAT), is a promising instrument to provide an estimate of gender role identification. Of all gender role identification measures the GIAT was (a) most sensitive to sex differences and (b) the only significant predictor of systolic blood pressure responses during and after the relatively masculine stress task.

Masculine gender role conflict and stress in relation to parental attachment and separation.

Masculine gender role conflict and stress in relation to parental attachment and separation.

Examining masculine gender role conflict and stress in relation to religious orientation and spiritual well-being.

Examining masculine gender role conflict and stress in relation to religious orientation and spiritual well-being.

Perceptions of parent–child relationships and masculine role conflicts of college men.

This study explored relations between young men's masculine role conflicts and perceptions of relationships with their parents. Data on gender role conflict, masculine role stress, parental attachment, and conflict with parents were collected from 195 undergraduate men at 2 state universities. Consistent with contemporary theoretical literature, results of a canonical correlation analysis suggested that, in general, men's perceptions of more secure, positive, and conflict-free relationships with both fathers and mothers were related to a lesser degree of masculine role conflicts and stresses. Conversely, in 1 variate pair, perceptions of more secure, positive, and conflict-free relationships with parents, especially with mothers, were linked to more masculine role concern regarding success and performance.