The authors investigated the effects of gender role conflict (GRC) on college men's scores of psychological well-being, substance usage, and attitudes toward psychological help-seeking. Each of the 4 GRC variables was significantly related to at least 1 variable of interest. The Success, Power, and Competition variable of GRC was significantly related to (a) a decrease in psychological well-being, including scores for Trait Anger, the Angry Reaction subtype of trait anger, and the Angry Temperament subtype of trait anger, and (b) an increased report of alcohol usage. The Restricted Emotionality variable of GRC was significantly related to (a) a decrease in psychological well-being, including scores for Trait Anger and Trait Anxiety; (b) negative attitudes toward help-seeking; and (c) an increased similarity in personality style to chemical abusers.

The authors used the Gender Role Conflict Scale, Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale, and Hopkins Symptom Checklist to examine the relation of gender role conflict to certain aspects of gay men's (N = 117) psychological experience. Gay men with less gender role conflict had a more positive view of seeking psychological help and reported fewer symptoms of anger, anxiety, and depression. On the basis of these findings, some tentative counseling implications are considered and directions for future research are proposed.

The article discusses the notion of “fear of the feminine” in Western culture as reflected in mythological themes. The psychoanalytic process of disidentifying from the primary love object is also suggested as a possible starting place of masculine gender role conflict. At an intrapsychic level men utilize a defense mechanism coined the “feminine projection process” to disown their feminine side.

This study examined the relationship between masculinity ideology, loneliness, and separation-individuation problems in college men. The results showed a positive correlation between the variables of interest. Also, masculine ideology was a significant predicator for loneliness. Implications for future research are discussed.