GENDER CHARACTERISTICS AND ADJUSTMENT-RELATED OUTCOMES - QUESTIONING THE MASCULINITY MODEL

Previous reviews have concluded that there is a significant positive r elation between masculinity and adjustment. The present study examined the generality of this relation by measuring gender characteristics a nd adjustment-related outcomes in a multidimensional manner. Results s howed that although masculine traits were significantly positively ass ociated with life satisfaction and positive affect for both men and wo men, they were not related to negative affect. A significant positive relation emerged between masculine traits and dyadic adjustment for bo th men and women, but this relation was not confirmed by partner repor ts. Masculine behaviors were unrelated to life satisfaction and positi ve affect but were positively related to negative affect. Feminine tra its were predictive of the experience of pleasant interpersonal emotio ns and good dyadic functioning for men. A sex difference emerged for f eminine interests and behaviors, indicating that they tended to be ass ociated with negative outcomes for men but positive outcomes for women . Together, the results call into question the scope of the masculinit y model of adjustment.