GENDER-ROLE ORIENTATION AND PHYSICAL HEALTH - A STUDY AMONG YOUNG-ADULTS

The purpose to this study was to examine the relationship between gend er role orientation and physical health among young adults. One hundre d forty-five undergraduates (103 females, 42 males) completed a measur e of gender role orientation (Bem Sex Role Inventory), self-reported p hysical health (Personal Health Questionnaire), health related behavio rs (Health Behaviors Inventory), and neuroticism (Eysenck Personality Inventory). The sample consisted of European-American (89%), African-A merican (8%), and Asian-American (3%) individuals. Results showed that gender role orientation was significantly related to health-related b ehaviors (e.g., smoking, exercise), but not to self-reported physical health (e.g., upper respiratory infections). Overall, androgynous indi viduals had better health-related behaviors than masculine, feminine, and undifferentiated individuals.