Toward identifying the etiologies of gender differences in authoritarianism and mental health: An Egyptian study.

Abstract

Compelling evidence of gender differences in authoritarianism, self-esteem, and mental disorders can be found in the psychology literature. However, researchers have not yet identified their etiologies. The traumatology perspective proposes that gender discrimination (GD) contributes to such differences. GD promotes internalized male superiority and enhanced self-esteem that increase authoritarianism and impact men's behavior. GD promotes internalized gender inferiority in women and decreased self-esteem, predicting internalizing disorders. In 2 samples (Sample 1, N ϭ 319 women; Sample 2, N ϭ 204 men), using path analysis, we tested this perspective. In the men's sample, externalizing accounted for about .75 of the variance. GD predicted internalized male superiority, increased externalizing, addiction, psychoticism, authoritarianism, and selfesteem, and decreased internalizing. In the women's sample, GD predicted increased internalized female inferiority, internalizing, and lowered self-esteem. Internalizing accounted for .415 of the variance. The results identified some etiologies and dynamics that contribute to gender differences. We then discussed the implications of these findings for advocating for gender equality.

Toward an Integrative Theory of Self-Identity and Identity Stressors and Traumas and Their Mental Health Dynamics

“…Also, on different violated physical identities (e.g., life-threatening events), and on role identities. Empirical studies have focused on various violated collective identities including racial identity ethnic identity, Native American identity (e.g., Omidy, 2012), and gender identity (e.g., Kira et al, 2015;Kira, Shuwiekh, & Bujold-Bugeaud, 2017), and found that social identities violations are linked to adverse mental health outcomes. The results of meta-analyses (Pascoe & Smart Richman, 2009) have also supported significant positive associations between identity violations and internalizing and externalizing disorders, general distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, substance abuse, anger, psychosis, as well as negative associations with happiness, life satisfaction, and mastery.…”

Do organizational commitment and perceived discrimination matter? Effect of SR-HRM characteristics on employee's turnover intentions

“…It is noteworthy that gender discrimination can have negative impacts on mental status and health of an individual (Fischer & Holz, 2010;Klonoff et al, 1999;Landrine & Klonoff, 1997;Okechukwu et al, 2014). Perceived gender discrimination can be a major element in long-term anxiety and behavioral disorders (Kessler et al, 2005;Kira et al, 2017). A study conducted by Moradi and Subich (2003) addressed African American women and stated that sexist events can have a significant impact on psychological stress and this was seen even when other impacts of racist events have been controlled and taken account for.…”

Editorial.

“…There is no doubt that the international community has a duty to prevent Assad from slaughtering even more Syrians and to bring him to trial for crimes against humanity. The study by Kira et al (2017) serves to highlight this continuing challenge.The last two major empirical articles are on moral themes: how individuals respond to moral transgressions by the ingroup (Kahn & Björklund, 2017) and by the outgroup (Nyarko & Punamäki, 2017). Moral transgressions of various kinds often take place in the course of conflict.…”

“…There is no doubt that the international community has a duty to prevent Assad from slaughtering even more Syrians and to bring him to trial for crimes against humanity. The study by Kira et al (2017) serves to highlight this continuing challenge.…”

“…The return to dictatorship after a revolution, as happened in Russia, Iran, and Egypt, leaves the population with less hope and little appetite for political engagement (Sadowski, Carvacho, & Zick, 2017). In this context, the study by Beller (2017) shows that conspiracy theories and fundamentalism are associated with support for militarism, and Kira et al, (2017) show that gender differences, with men higher on authoritarianism, continue as an important theme in social relations. The brief research report by Goddard (2017) continues the focus on militarism, by examining the role that psychological reactance can have on war entry.…”