GENDER-ROLES AND SELF-ESTEEM - A CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORS

Much empirical research has examined the psychological well-being of i ndividuals with varying gender role orientations This research has typ ically shown masculinity to be a strong correlate of self-esteem and f emininity to be relatively unrelated to self-esteem. This research has often failed to consider the relative environmental influences impact ing this process. This study examines the relationships of masculinity and femininity to self-esteem and environmental presses for each of t hese sets Of behavioral characteristics. Results indicate a stronger p ress for masculine characteristics than feminine characteristics. The person-environment interaction suggests that a masculine environment m ay place women who are low in masculinity at particular risk for low s elf-esteem. Implications for both research and practice are discussed.