Mechanisms Linking Masculine Discrepancy Stress and the Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence Among Men in the United States

Abstract

Although studies show that masculine discrepancy stress (i.e., the intrapsychic strain associated with failing to meet internalized masculine ideals) is associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, little is known about the processes underlying this association. There may be other social psychological constructs at play that explain this relationship further. The present study uses recently collected data from a national survey of men living in the United States ( n = 711) to formally test whether the effects of discrepancy stress on three different forms of IPV perpetration are mediated by anger, self-esteem, and perceived powerlessness. We find that discrepancy stress is directly associated with higher levels of anger, lower levels self-esteem, a sense of powerlessness, and a greater odds of perpetrating any physical IPV and severe physical IPV resulting in injuries, but not sexual IPV perpetration in our sample of men. Our mediation analyses confirms that masculine discrepancy stress is indirectly associated with perpetrating all three forms of IPV through the mechanism of anger. Self-esteem and perceived powerlessness are not supported as mediators. These findings add to our understanding of the link between masculinity and violence perpetration and can inform IPV reduction interventions. Gender transformative interventions that reduce discrepancy stress among men by shifting men’s adherence to traditional masculine norms, and that integrate anger management strategies, should be explored in future research.

Gender Role Discrepancy Stress and COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors Among Men in the United States

“…20,21 However, strain resulting from this discrepancy can cause feelings of inadequacy, anger, and low self-esteem in men. 22,23 It and similar measures of gender role strain positively associate with greater engagement in intimate partner violence, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol abuse. 19,22,24,25 Men with high discrepancy stress may engage in unhealthy behaviors to cope with feelings of inadequacy, or to compensate for them, by behaving in hyper-masculine ways.…”

“…22,23 It and similar measures of gender role strain positively associate with greater engagement in intimate partner violence, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol abuse. 19,22,24,25 Men with high discrepancy stress may engage in unhealthy behaviors to cope with feelings of inadequacy, or to compensate for them, by behaving in hyper-masculine ways. 26 This theory aligns with the compensatory masculinity hypothesis that posits that in response to gender role threat men exaggerate their masculinity and engage in more antisocial behavior.…”

Masculine Discrepancy Stress, Subjective Well-Being, and the Buffering Role of Religiosity

“…Although gender role discrepancy—or the nonconformity to socially prescribed masculine gender norms—is not necessarily problematic in itself, the strain or stress associated with the perceived loss of masculine identity (masculine discrepancy stress) may serve as a potent risk factor for unhealthy lifestyles and poor psychosocial functioning among men ( Reidy, Brookmeyer, et al, 2016 ; Sileo et al, 2023 ). To date, several studies have linked gender role discrepancy stress with a range of risky behaviors, including, for example, unprotected sex ( Fleming et al, 2014 ; Reidy, Brookmeyer, et al, 2016 ), heavy alcohol consumption ( Gottert et al, 2018 ; Reidy et al, 2014 ; Yang et al, 2019 ), the perpetration of intimate partner violence ( Reidy, Brookmeyer, et al, 2016 ; Reidy et al, 2014 ; Sileo et al, 2022 ), and lower rates of preventive behaviors that are relevant to chronic and infectious diseases ( Mesler et al, 2022 ; Sileo et al, 2023 ). The idea is that some men attempt to “compensate” for the perceived loss of masculine identity by acting in ways that demonstrate invincibility and power with respect to their health and intimate relationships.…”

“…Masculine discrepancy stress is defined as a perceived failure to conform to normative expectations surrounding masculinity (Sileo et al, 2022). The concept of ''discrepancy stress'' is an aspect of masculinity that has been described as a form of intrapsychic strain that results when men perceive that they have failed to meet masculine ideals that they have internalized through years of gender socialization (Pleck, 1995).…”

“…The idea is that some men attempt to ''compensate'' for the perceived loss of masculine identity by acting in ways that demonstrate invincibility and power with respect to their health and intimate relationships. In terms of well-being, masculine discrepancy stress has been linked with lower levels of self-esteem (perceived worthlessness) and mastery (perceived powerlessness) and higher levels of emotional distress (Rummell & Levant, 2014;Shields, 2002;Sileo et al, 2022Sileo et al, , 2023.…”