THE ASSESSMENT OF GENDER-ROLE STRESS FOR CHINESE

The present study aimed to extend the generality of the construct of g ender role stress (GRS) to Chinese samples. Specific objectives includ ed (1) devising Chinese versions of the Masculine Gender Role Stress S cale (MGRS) and Feminine Gender Role Stress Scale (FGRS) developed by Eisler and his colleagues, (2) examining the relationship between GRS and gender role orientation, and (3) evaluating the concurrent validit y of GRS by correlating it with a measure of health adjustment. Fifty- one male and 58 female Chinese college students in Hong Kong participa ted in Study 1, which aimed to develop Chinese versions of the two GRS scales. Similar to Americans Chinese male students scored higher on t he MGRS scale, but lower on the FGRS scale than Chinese female student s. Students' scores on the two GRS scales were independent from their global ratings of stereotypic masculinity and femininity. A second sam ple, consisting of 46 male and 73 female Chinese nurses, was recruited for Study 2 which evaluated the association between GRS and health ad justment. As hypothesized, a high level of MGRS or FGRS was positively related to a high level of health and mental health disturbances for both male and female nurses.