Development of the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory

Abstract

This article describes the construction of the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory (CFNI), which was designed to assess women's conformity to an array of feminine norms found in the dominant culture in the United States. In addition, we present four studies in which the psychometric properties of the CFNI were examined. In Study 1, factor analysis indicated that the CFNI is comprised of eight distinct factors labeled as Nice in Relationships, Thinness, Modesty, Domestic, Care for Children, Romantic Relationship, Sexual Fidelity, and Invest in Appearance. Results from Study 2 indicated that the CFNI has strong internal consistency estimates and differentiates college women from college men. In addition, Study 2 demonstrated that the CFNI Total score and subscale scores relate to Bem Sex Role Inventory and Feminist Identity Development Scale scores in theoretically consistent patterns. Study 3 indicated that the CFNI Total score and several of the subscales significantly and positively relate to scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory. Finally, Study 4 demonstrated that the CFNI Total score and subscale scores have high test-retest estimates for a 2-3 week period. The discussion focuses on potential uses of the CFNI, limitations to the study, and suggestions for future research.

The role of feminine and masculine norms in college women’s alcohol use.

“…Contemporary multidimensional measures of masculine and feminine norms include the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI; Mahalik et al, 2003) and the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory (CFNI; Mahalik et al, 2005), and their shortened versions, the CMNI-46, CMNI-29, and the CNFI-45 (Hsu & Iwamoto, 2014;Parent & Moradi, 2009;. Mahalik and his colleagues (2003; developed the CMNI and the CFNI to assess the extent to which men and women conform to gender norms that are reflective of dominant U.S. culture.…”

Comparison of Feminine Gender Norms among Spanish and American College Women

“…To define social norms, among which gender norms are to be found, Mahalik et al (2003Mahalik et al ( , 2005, they take the description of Cialdini & Trost (1999: p. 152), which are "rules and standards that are understood by members of a group, that guide and/or constrain social behaviour without the force of laws". In this manner femininity would be a heterogeneous set of social norms on relationships, attitudes and beliefs which are deemed suitable for women are passed on by every culture and are identifiable by members of each society.…”

“…Starting with this conception, Mahalik et al (2005) constructed the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory (CFNI), a measure which offers a series of advantages compared to the previous ones: it is an up-to-date instrument, since it was created quite recently, and incorporates a multidimensional gender viewpoint, so that it works with the "femininity" construct, not as a homogeneous entity, but a multiple one (there would be different "femininities", with which people would identify in different degrees). Moreover, in using the concept of feminine norm, what is understood by femininity is dealt with as a set of norms of behaviour, attitudes and beliefs of a prescriptive nature.…”

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This article describes the psychometric characteristics of the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory (CFNI; Mahalik et al, 2005) in a group of Spanish college women (n = 383), and explores cross-cultural differences in feminine role norms. Factor analysis reveals a profile similar to the one obtained in the USA and, albeit differing in some aspects, in general it supports the authors' proposed structure.

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Role of the Gender-Linked Norm of Toughness in the Decision to Engage in Treatment for Depression

“…Although many gender-based norms have been described for men and women (23,24), the toughness norm, which entails hiding pain and maintaining independence (25), is presumed to be particularly salient for men (14,26–29) and may be especially relevant for understanding service utilization. Boys at an early age are taught to act tough and be autonomous (26,30–32) and to refrain from seeking others’ help to avoid signaling subordination and a loss of autonomy.…”