Self-esteem In Men Research Articles

Relationships among Self-Esteem, Stress, and Physical Activity in College Students

The purpose of this study was to identify population and sex-specific relationships between perceived stress, self-esteem, and physical activity in college students. 90 students, ages 18 and older and enrolled in five sections of a health and human behavior class during the spring 2010 semester, were contacted for this study with 74 consenting to serve as study participants. Each participant completed three surveys: the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Significant correlations were observed between perceived stress and self-esteem in men, and in women. Physical activity was not significantly correlated with perceived stress or self-esteem.

Asian perspective: Premature ejaculation prevalence and attitudes (PEPA) among Singaporean men

Objective To evaluate the perceptions and prevalence of premature ejaculation (PE) among men in Singapore. Methods Online or in-person questionnaires were conducted in a random sample of 243 men aged 18–55 years who are currently or were in a sexual relationship within the past 2 years. The prevalence of PE was examined through a validated diagnostic PE Tool (PEDT) and via self-assessment. Results The PEDT revealed that 20% of the respondents have PE and about 14% of them Probable PE. In contrast, when asked to seIf-diagnose, only 16% of the respondentsfelt that they have PE. Majority (90%) agreed that PE significantly affects a man's self-esteem while 21% viewed PE as a bigger concern compared to erectile dysfunction (19%). However, only 23% of men with PE have spoken to a doctor regarding their condition and one-third have no intention to. Overall, two-thirds strongly believe that PE can effectively be treated with prescription medicine, but only 17% have heard of prescription medication for PE. The most common approach participants have heard of for dealing with PE is still behavioural therapy. Interestingly, it was also established that the partner plays a significant role in motivating men with PE to seek treatment. Conclusions The prevalence of PE in Singapore is similar to previously published Caucasian data. Singaporean men are very conscious of their partner's satisfaction and this is a motivating factor for them to seek treatment. However, they are likely to benefit from additional education on the topic.

Erectile Dysfunction and Correlated Factors in Brazilian Men Aged 18–40 years

Few population-based studies in erectile dysfunction (ED) included subjects less than 40 years old and analyzed the several factors and consequences potentially associated with this condition. Evaluation of the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and associated factors in a sample of Brazilian men aged 18 to 40 years old. Cross-sectional study in which subjects were contacted in public places of 18 major Brazilian cities and interviewed using an anonymous questionnaire. Survey data were submitted to chi-squared, student's t-test and logistic regression analyses. The data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire with 87 questions about sociodemographic variables, general health, habits and lifestyle-related factors, sexual behavior and sexual difficulties, including ED which was assessed by a single question. Prevalence of ED in 1,947 men was 35.0% (73.7% mild, 26.3% moderate/complete). Greater frequency of ED was seen in subjects that never had information about sex, experienced difficulties in the beginning of sexual life and have never masturbated. ED was associated to lower level of education, but not to race, sexual orientation, employment or marital status. Also, no association was found between ED and smoking, alcoholism, obesity, sedentary life, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, depression or anxiety. ED caused negative impact in men's self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, work and leisure activities, and in sexual life satisfaction. Less than 10% of men with ED had received medical treatment for this problem. Prevalence of ED in this young population was high, mostly of mild severity. Low education and psychosocial problems were associated to ED and, due probably to the sample subjects' young age, no association was found with organic problems. Measures in the fields of education and psychosocial difficulties prevention would have a positive impact in the control of erectile dysfunction in the young population.

“I'm not gay. . . . I'm a real man!”: Heterosexual Men's Gender Self-Esteem and Sexual Prejudice

Five studies examined the hypothesis that heterosexual men, but not heterosexual women, endorse negative attitudes toward homosexuality (i.e., sexual prejudice) in order to maintain a positive gender-related identity that is unambiguously different from a homosexual identity. Studies 1 and 2 showed that men's (but not women's) gender self-esteem (but not personal self-esteem) was positively related to sexual prejudice: The more positive heterosexual men's gender self-esteem, the more negative their attitude toward homosexuality. Studies 3 and 4 showed that this link appears specifically among men motivated to maintain psychological distance from gay men. Study 5 experimentally manipulated the perceived biological differences between homosexual and heterosexual men. The previously observed link between men's gender self-esteem and sexual prejudice appeared in the control and no-differences conditions but disappeared in the differences condition. These findings are discussed in terms of men's attitudes as a defensive function against threat to masculinity.

For Better or Worse? Self-Esteem and the Contingencies of Acceptance in Marriage

A longitudinal daily diary study examined the origins and consequences of perceiving a partner's acceptance and love as contingent on professional success. Both members of 154 couples completed a diary for 21 days. Multilevel analyses revealed that low self-esteem men and women felt more accepted and loved by their partner on days when their professional lives were marked by success, and low self-esteem women felt less accepted and loved on days when their professional lives were marked by failure. No such spillover effects between people's professional and relationship lives emerged for people high in chronic selfesteem. A 1-year longitudinal follow-up revealed that people who initially felt less accepted across days reported decreased satisfaction. Men also became especially distressed when their wives felt less accepted initially and (incorrectly) perceived their husbands' regard as contingent.

Sex, Body-Esteem and Self-Esteem

This study investigated the relationship between body-esteem and self-esteem among 215 young men and women (ages 18 to 25 years). It was expected that concern with weight and shape would be strongly associated with women's self-esteem, while men's self-esteem would be more closely linked to concerns about their fitness. Multiple regression analyses indicated that perceived attractiveness and the salience of weight and shape were significant predictors of self-esteem among women. Among men, the significant predictors of self-esteem were perceived attractiveness, body disparagement, and perceived strength and fitness.

Comparison Between Sildenafil‐Treated Subjects with Erectile Dysfunction and Control Subjects on the Self‐Esteem And Relationship Questionnaire

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can negatively impact psychosocial measures of a patient's sexual life. To evaluate self-esteem, confidence, and relationships in men with ED, before and after treatment with sildenafil citrate (Viagra), with reference to controls without ED. Sildenafil-naïve patients with ED were enrolled in a 10-week, open-label, flexible-dose (25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg) trial of sildenafil. In a separate study, men without ED who did not take sildenafil also completed the Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire. In addition to traditional statistical testing, equivalency testing was applied to compare the ED group, before and after treatment, with the control group and to examine whether the ED group improved to normative ranges on the SEAR questionnaire after treatment (within half a standard deviation of the normative or control group mean). Baseline and end-of-treatment responses on psychosocial aspects of ED were measured with the validated SEAR. Mean SEAR scores between subjects with ED (N = 93, mean age 55.0 years) at baseline and control subjects without ED (N = 94, mean age 52.5 years) were statistically different from zero and not statistically equivalent. Conversely, mean SEAR scores between ED subjects after treatment and control subjects were statistically equivalent and not statistically different from zero. The results indicate that sildenafil is associated with normalization of relationships, confidence, and self-esteem in men with ED.

Adult Men's Self-Esteem: The Relationship with the Father

This study examined 80 men to determine if their relationship with their fathers during childhood/adolescence could predict self-esteem in adulthood. Adult men's perceptions of their fathers were measured using the Fatherhood Scale (FS). Using logistic regression, the type of relationship with the father, the subject's education, subject's father's education, parental divorce, and whether they lived with their father during childhood/adolescence correctly classified 75% of the men in the predicted self-esteem group. Results indicate significant differences in self-reported measures of fathering between the two groups of men on eight out of the nine FS subscales. The type of relationship these men had with their fathers during childhood was related to self-esteem in adulthood.

Are romantic partners a source of college students' weight concern?

This study explored the importance of weight in college students' dating relationships and the expression of weight-related concerns between dating romantic partners. In a survey of 554 undergraduates, we found that overweight women were less likely to be dating than their peers, and that weight was positively correlated with relationship satisfaction in men, but negatively correlated with satisfaction in women. We also found that over 30% of students in exclusive relationships had either been told by their partner (or had told their partner) to gain or lose weight. While male partners were typically told to gain weight, female partners were as likely to be told to lose as gain weight. Women's weight-loss attempts and self-esteem were not related to being the targets of these comments, but women told to lose weight reported lower relationship satisfaction; men's self-esteem was not related to being the targets of these comments, but men told to gain weight reported lower relationship satisfaction. Although our results support prior research suggesting that weight is differentially important for men and women in romantic relationships, they challenge the hypothesis that individual romantic partners are a primary source of students' body dissatisfaction and weight concerns.

The Relation Between Chosen Role Models and the Self-Esteem of Men and Women

This study was designed to investigate choice of role models and levels of self-esteem within a sample of college students (N = 120). Participants rated themselves and their chosen role models on 29 character traits, which allowed determination of the self-perceived likeness of the participant to their role models (difference score). The difference score was then correlated with four subtypes of self-esteem. As predicted, participants chose more same-sex than other-sex role models; women were more likely than men to choose other-sex role models. The results indicated that choice of same-sex, as opposed to other-sex role models, is not indicative of higher levels of self-esteem in general. However, self-perceived likeness of role model to participant is significantly related to self-esteem, particularly for women.

Men, male sexuality and HIV/AIDS: Reflections from studies in rural and urban East Africa

Men, male sexuality and HIV/AIDS:Reflections from studies in rural and urban East Africa Margrethe Silberschmidt (bio) Introduction Empowering women to prevent HIV/AIDS has received much lip service in recent years. However the time has come for a real focus on changing male attitudes and behaviours. In the past the focus has been on the women's side and what they should be doing, but we need to focus on the other side of the gender equation and correct men's misconceptions and behaviour. At the moment male power is almost synonymous with multiple relations and power over women. (Helen Jackson, UN Population Fund Advisor to IRIN NEWS, September 3, 2002) In spite of numerous prevention activities during the past decade in sub Saharan Africa, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is still spreading (Fitzgerald and Behets 2003). Heterosexual men are often seen as the driving force behind the epidemic. The view is that gender inequalities permit men to dictate the terms of sexual intercourse and this results in unprotected sex with women being the major victims. This article offers a different view of the respective positions of men and women within the AIDS epidemic by exploring some of the less stereotyped reasons why men now seem to be driving the epidemic. It investigates the gendered effects of socio-economic change, the implications of these for male identities, masculinities and sexualities. Finally, it addresses lessons to be drawn from the research findings regarding HIV/AIDS prevention activities and campaigns. According to Caldwell (2000:126) 'Africans have been educated by AIDS programs to know that the disease is deadly and is largely spread among them by high-risk sexual activities. The epidemic cannot be defeated [End Page 42] by more education'. This sweeping (and pessimistic) claim needs to be qualified by noting that HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns that lead to behaviour change will only be successful if proper attention is given to the wider socio-economic context, and to issues of gender, gender relations and sexuality. In order to understand the role of male sexual behaviour in the AIDS epidemic the focus should fall on the social and cultural context in which sexual activity is shaped and constituted (Parker 2001; Parker and Gagnon 1995). Based on my research from rural and urban East Africa, the aim of this article is to elucidate how socio-economic changes differentially have impacted on women's and men's social roles, social value, self-esteem and perceptions of self. The focus will be on the way in which masculinity and male sexual behaviours have been affected. The research was first carried out by the author in Kisii, rural Kenya, at different periods from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. Research in urban Dar es Salaam took place during one year (1996-97). The Kisii research consists of both survey data (723 women and 200 men in their reproductive years) and qualitative data collection, life histories and focus group discussions with a selection of men and women from two villages included in the survey. The vast majority had not completed primary education. Most women referred to themselves as housewives and the majority of men referred to themselves as farmers. The qualitative data collection in urban Tanzania took place in three low-income squatter areas of Dar es Salaam: Mabibo, Vingunguti and Buguruni. In-depth interviews were carried out with 38 women and 53 men also at reproductive age by means of structured, semi-structured and open-ended interviews. Unlike the Kisii informants, the majority had completed a primary education. While seven out of the 53 men had attended secondary school, only one of the 38 women had been to secondary school. The vast majority of men said they were casual labourers, self-employed or involved in petty business (selling cold drinks, dried fish, etc). Women said they were housewives and at the same time involved in petty business. In addition, 13 focus group discussions were conducted with different groups of men and women of different age but with similar backgrounds. Socio-economic change and gender change in East Africa While the causes are still contested, there is no doubt that people in East Africa have...

Gender-typical responses to sexual and emotional infidelity as a function of mortality salience induced self-esteem striving.

The authors propose that gender-differentiated patterns of jealousy in response to sexual and emotional infidelity are engendered by the differential impact of each event on self-esteem for men and women. Study 1 demonstrated that men derive relatively more self-esteem from their sex lives, whereas women's self-esteem is more contingent on romantic commitment. Based on terror management theory, it is predicted that if gender-differentiated responses to infidelity are motivated by gender-specific contingencies for self-esteem, they should be intensified following reminders of mortality. In Study 2, mortality salience (MS) increased distress in response to sexual infidelity for men and emotional infidelity for women. Study 3 demonstrated that following MS, men who place high value on sex in romantic relationships exhibited greater distress in response to sexual infidelity, but low-ex-value men's distress was attenuated. The authors discuss the implications for evolutionary and self-esteem-based accounts of jealousy as well as possible integration of these perspectives.

The effects of self-esteem and ego threat on interpersonal appraisals of men and women: a naturalistic study.

A naturalistic study examined the effects of self-esteem and threats to the self on interpersonal appraisals. Self-esteem scores, ego threat (operationalized as a substantial decrease in self-esteem across an average of 9 months), and their interaction were used to predict likability and personality perceptions of college men and women. The results revealed a curvilinear function explaining likability: Moderate to low self-esteem men and women were higher in likability when threatened, whereas high self-esteem men were seen as less likable when threatened. Personality ratings indicated that high self-esteem men and women who were threatened were rated highest on Antagonism (i.e., fake, arrogant, unfriendly, rude, and uncooperative). Mediational analyses revealed that differences in Antagonism statistically accounted for differences in likability. These patterns are interpreted with respect to gender and time in interpersonal perceptions as well as naturalistic versus laboratory investigations.

Applying a Social Identity Paradigm to Examine the Relationship Between Men's Self-Esteem and Their Attitudes Toward Men and Women

The authors used a psychometrically robust measure of attitudes toward men in applying a social identity framework to obtain a better understanding of the previous finding of a significant positive relationship, among men, between self-esteem and attitudes toward men. Two studies of that issue are reported. Northern Irish university students (N = 106 men) participated in the 1st study, and 56 English university students participated in a replication. In both studies, participants completed measures of attitudes toward men and women before and after an experimental intervention that was designed to produce a threat to self-esteem regarding their identity as men. The findings suggested that, following such a threat, men with a high positive regard toward men will have enhanced self-regard toward men and will tend to view women more negatively. The present findings also suggested that the application of social identity theory and the method used in the present research in investigating that theory are very relevant to the understanding of the relationship between men's self-esteem and their attitudes toward men and women.

Predicting self‐esteem during unemployment: The effect of gender, financial deprivation, alternate roles, and social support

Two hundred and one unemployed men and women participated in a cross‐sectional study that assessed self‐esteem, financial deprivation, number of alternate roles, and use of social support. Financial deprivation, alternate roles, and social support each had a main effect on self‐esteem. In addition, these variables interacted with gender to affect self‐esteem. Specifically, financial deprivation had a greater negative association with self‐esteem in men as compared with women. In contrast, alternate roles and social support had a stronger positive relationship to self‐esteem in women than in men. The incorporation of these findings into intervention programs for unemployed persons is discussed.

Sex Differences in Response to Evaluative Feedback: A Field Study

We investigated sex differences in response to evaluative feedback among bank employees who were going through the annual performance evaluation process. Questionnaires were mailed to employees before and after they had their face-to-face evaluation with their supervisor. Women and men received similar evaluation scores. Men's self-esteem was relatively unaffected by the nature of the feedback, whereas women's self-esteem slightly improved after positive feedback and substantially dropped after negative feedback. After the evaluations, women reported greater intentions to change their behavior based on the evaluation. However, this finding was accounted for by men's higher job status relative to women. The findings for self-esteem were partly explained by women's greater agreement with the feedback compared to men. Future research should explore how the nature of the supervisee-supervisor relationship influences how women and men respond to feedback.

The evolution of sex discrimination

In this paper, I use evolutionary psychology to develop a new theory of sex discrimination. This theory suggests that a cognitive bias toward low task-related self-esteem in young women when comparing themselves to men, and for high task-related self-esteem in men when comparing themselves to young women, may have evolved as it was in the reproductive interests of both males and females. Low task-related selfesteem vis-a-vis males may have been adaptive for young females in the evolutionary environment because it advertised both youth and future controllability , features highly attractive to prospective mates. High task-related self-esteem vis-a-vis young females may have been adaptive for males because it advertised capabilities as providers and protectors, also features attractive to mates. Both biases are predicted to end for females beyond the reproductive years. Predictions from this theory are tested and supported with data from twenty-nine countries, including the US.

Childhood Psychological, Physical, and Sexual Maltreatment in Outpatients with Binge Eating Disorder: Frequency and Associations with Gender, Obesity, and Eating-Related Psychopathology

To examine rates of reported childhood maltreatment in binge eating disorder (BED), and to explore associations with obesity, gender, eating disorder features, and associated functioning. Subjects were 145 consecutive outpatients with BED as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4(th) edition. Subjects were interviewed and they completed questionnaires to assess eating disorder features and functioning. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was given to assess childhood maltreatment in five domains (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect). A total of 83% of BED patients reported some form of childhood maltreatment. A total of 59% of BED patients reported emotional abuse, 36% reported physical abuse, 30% reported sexual abuse, 69% reported emotional neglect, and 49% reported physical neglect. There were no differences in the distribution of any form of childhood maltreatment by gender or by obesity status. The different forms of maltreatment were not associated with variability in current body mass index, binge eating, or in the attitudinal features of eating disorders. Only one of the five forms of maltreatment (physical neglect) was associated with dietary restraint in women. Emotional abuse was significantly associated with greater body dissatisfaction, higher depression, and lower self-esteem in men and women and sexual abuse was associated with greater body dissatisfaction in men. The different forms of maltreatment were unrelated to the age at onset of overweight, dieting, or binge eating. BED outpatients reported a wide range of childhood experiences of maltreatment that do not differ by gender or obesity status. Different forms of maltreatment were not associated with the onset of overweight, dieting, or binge eating, or with variability in current body mass index or eating disorder features (except for one association between physical neglect and dietary restraint). Reports of emotional abuse were associated with greater body dissatisfaction and depression and lower self-esteem in men and women and sexual abuse with greater body dissatisfaction in men.

Disempowerment of Men in Rural and Urban East Africa: Implications for Male Identity and Sexual Behavior

Patriarchal structures and stereotyped notions of gender hide the increasing disempowerment of many men in rural and urban East Africa. Socioeconomic change has left men with a patriarchal ideology bereft of its legitimizing activities. Unemployment or low incomes prevent men from fulfilling their male roles as head of household and breadwinner. Women's roles and responsibilities have increased. This affects men's social value, identity and self-esteem. Multi-partnered sexual relationships and sexually aggressive behavior seem to strengthen male identity and sense of masculinity. Strategies to improve sexual and reproductive health must take into account how socioeconomic changes have affected traditional gender roles and male sexual behavior.

Shrinking Violets and Caspar Milquetoasts: Shyness and Heterosexuality from the Roles of the Fifties to the Rules of the Nineties

In this article, I explore the implications for heterosexual power dynamics of changing representations of shyness for white middle-class women and men. Using popular self-help, etiquette and advice books as my source of evidence, I show that as ideas about how to achieve emotional intimacy in heterosexual relationships have changed, so, too, have ideas about white middle-class women's and men's ideal relationship to shyness. What has not changed is the idea that women are primarily responsible for performing the emotional labor deemed necessary to achieve intimacy. In the 1950s, when the arena of courtship was regarded as the last bastion of male privilege, young women were expected to adopt certain shy behaviors to build up young men's self-esteem. In the mid-1970s, when feminists were challenging male privilege, mutual self-disclosure was established as the new standard of intimacy. Yet given that white middle-class men were increasingly afflicted with a shyness labeled reserve, women were still considered responsible for performing relationship-sustaining emotional labor. In the more conservative 1980s and 1990s, mutual self-disclosure continued to be held up as an ideal, but men were frequently absolved of this responsibility by authors who argued that men were biologically predisposed to be reserved.