Adherence to traditionally masculine norms and condom-related beliefs: Emphasis on African American and Hispanic men.

Abstract

Although studies have shown that adherence to traditional masculine norms (i.e., Status, Toughness, Antifemininity) affect men’s attitudes toward sexual health, there is little research on how men’s adherence to these norms affect them in the context of heterosexual, dyadic relationships. Among 296 young pregnant couples, we investigated the extent to which adherence to traditional masculine norms affected male and female partners’ own condom-related beliefs (i.e., condom self-efficacy, positive condom attitudes) and that of their partners. We tested an interdependence model using a dyadic-analytic approach to path analysis. We also tested for differences across gender and race-ethnicity (i.e., African American, Hispanic). Results showed that adherence to the Antifemininity and Toughness masculine norms predicted negative condom-related beliefs, whereas, overall, adherence to the Status norm predicted positive condom-related beliefs. Men’s and women’s adherence to traditional norms about masculinity were associated with their partner’s condom self-efficacy, and moderated associations based on gender and race-ethnicity were detected. In contrast, each dyad member’s traditional masculine norms were not associated with his or her partner’s positive condom attitudes. Taken together, findings indicated that the roles of traditional masculinity and condom-related beliefs in sexual health should be addressed within the context of relationships and associations between masculine norms and condom-related beliefs are not uniformly negative.

“Think Like a Man”: How Sexual Cultural Scripting and Masculinity Influence Changes in Men's Use of Intimate Partner Violence

“…Similarly, cool pose and John Henryism are culturally-specific representations of masculinity for African-American men. The cool pose characterizes physical posturing, toughness, and a readiness to fight and violently defend and protect (Billson & Majors, 1992; Vincent et al, 2016; Wade & Rochlen, 2013). Conversely, John Henryism is a form of masculinity that exhibits a strong disposition to coping with structural inequalities such as racism (Vincent et al, 2016).…”

“…The cool pose characterizes physical posturing, toughness, and a readiness to fight and violently defend and protect (Billson & Majors, 1992; Vincent et al, 2016; Wade & Rochlen, 2013). Conversely, John Henryism is a form of masculinity that exhibits a strong disposition to coping with structural inequalities such as racism (Vincent et al, 2016). Though beyond the scope of our study, young men's adherence to cultural-specific expressions of masculinity may influence their expression of sexual scripting and their use of violence.…”

A Bidimensional Examination of Machismo in Relation to Risky Sexual Cognitions and Behavior among Latino College Men

“…Some of these results were in contrast to previous findings suggesting masculinity is linked to risky sexual behaviors. 13,14 However, these previous studies assessed general masculine norms rather than culturally-specific masculinity. Thus, the present study highlights the importance of investigating culture-specific gender norms such as machismo, as they may differentially impact risky sexual cognitions and behaviors.…”

“…13 Other research suggests endorsement of some aspects of masculinity relates to less favorable attitudes toward condom use. 14,15 Some research suggests that, although there are many commonalities, the exact expressions of masculine norms may differ across cultures. Masculine prescriptions among Latino men are typically referred to as machismo.…”

HIV Prevention for Black Heterosexual Men: The Barbershop Talk with Brothers Cluster Randomized Trial

“…Factors associated with HIV risk among heterosexual Black men include living in areas characterized by poor socioeconomic status, greater income inequality, and neighborhood disorder 5,6 ; an epidemic of incarceration that creates lower male-to-female ratios within these geographic areas and compounds risks of transmission 5 ; and lower availability and use of prevention, screening, and treatment services targeting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, 7,8 which can result in lower motivation, skills, and self-efficacy for condom use. 9,10 At the interpersonal and individual levels, heterosexual HIV risk among Black men is driven in part by the impact of these social determinants on depression and on alcohol and substance use, which in turn are linked to condomless sex 6,11 and the impact of sex roles and conceptualizations of normative male and female behavior on partner concurrency, condom use, 12,13 and HIV stigma. 14 Such factors speak to the need to address these broad social determinants and, at a minimum, ensure that HIV prevention efforts are centered in geographically high-risk heterosexual areas.…”