Masculinity and interpersonal competencies: Contrasting White and African American men.

Abstract

Masculinity ideologies inform expectations for how men should behave, and one important realm of behavior is that of interpersonal relationships. Conforming to Western-defined traditional male role norms has been linked to numerous aspects of relational health and functioning. However, as masculinity ideologies reflect the internalization of cultural beliefs and attitudes about men's roles, the associations between masculine ideologies and interpersonal functioning could differ by racial cultural group. This study examined differences between White and African American men's endorsements of traditional masculinity ideology and compared the associations between masculinity ideology and interpersonal competencies with relationship partners and coworkers. Although there were few differences in the endorsement of male role norms between the two groups, canonical correlations indicated different patterns of associations with coworkers and relationship partners for White and African American men. The endorsement of the Toughness role norm was strongly and inversely related to interpersonal competencies for White men, but was not significantly related to interpersonal competencies for African American men. The Status norm was inversely related to interpersonal competencies for White men, but positively related to competencies for African American men. Research and practice implications are discussed.

Men and Their Father Figures: Exploring Racial and Ethnic Differences in Mental Health Outcomes

“…Thus, responding to stressful situations and mental health issues can be a mysterious process for young men whose role models conform to traditional gender roles. The endorsement of traditional gender norms by black men compared with non-black men is consistent across studies (Courtenay 2000; Lease et al 2010; Levant et al 1998), and African American men tend to endorse more traditional perspective when compared with European American men (Courtenay 2000; Levant and Majors 1997; Levant et al 1998). The endorsement of traditional norms of masculinity also changes depending on the age and professional or non-professional status of men.…”

“…In recent years, studies on masculinity and mental health have identified complex, multifaceted impressions of what it means to be a man (Addis and Mahalik 2003; Brooks 2001; Harland 2008). Yet, additional complexities surface when attempting to understand how men are conditioned to embody manhood across different racial and ethnic groups (Hurtado and Sinha 2008; Lease et al 2010; Mahalik et al 2006; Royster 2007; Wester 2008) and how exposure to father figures in their youth influence their mental health outcomes in adulthood.…”

Knowledge about HIV in a Community Sample of Urban African Americans in the South

“…Research findings have shown that African American men score higher than members of other racial/ethnic groups, especially Caucasians, on measures of masculinity [8,9] and that Caucasian and African American men define masculinity differently [10]. When applied to situations involving sexual behavior, men who score higher on masculinity have been shown to be more likely to engage in HIV sexual risk behaviors compared to their less-masculine counterparts [11–13].…”

The subjective experience of social class and upward mobility among African American men in graduate school.

“…Although the endorsement of such roles may vary between groups of men, studies have found that this view on masculinity is generally true cross-culturally and in numerous countries (Lease et al, 2010; Ojeda, Rosales, & Good, 2008). Consequently, if a man has internalized traditional messages regarding masculinity, then his psychological well-being may hinge on his ability to fulfill those roles (Glass & Owen, 2010; Rochlen, McKelley, Suizzo, & Scaringi, 2008).…”