THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MASCULINE GENDER-ROLE STRESS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT - A QUESTION OF CONSTRUCT-VALIDITY

Masculine gender role stress is a theoretical construct that describes the stress created in men when they feel they are not meeting society 's expectations for masculinity, or when the situation forces men to a ct in feminine-typed ways. The stress produced by these feelings or ac tions are thought to be related to negative psychological outcomes for men, but should be unrelated to well-being for women. The present stu dy investigated the validity of the masculine gender role stress const ruct, especially with regard to the assumption that masculine gender r ole stress is related to negative psychological outcomes for men more than for women. Participants were a group of mostly Caucasian undergra duates. Results indicated that masculine gender role stress was relate d to depression, hostility, and anxiety, but to the same degree for bo th men and women. These findings suggest that, if MGRS is a valid cons truct, then researchers need to explore other ways in which this type of stress can negatively affect men, but not women.