Katherine Richmond

A Review of Research on Masculinity Ideologies Using the Male Role Norms Inventory

Within the past twenty five years, the new psychology of men has pioneered advancements in understanding and conceptualizing gender role expectations using the Gender Role Strain Paradigm. Gender ideology, an individuals in-ternalization of cultural belief systems regarding gender role norms, is the core construct of the Gender Role Strain Paradigm. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive summary of findings from research on masculinity ideologies using the Male Role Norms Inventory (MRNI) conducted over the past 15 years. A review of data on the psychometric properties of the MRNI, along with cross-cultural and cross-national analyses will be presented, as will the relationship between traditional ideologies and other constructs. The article concludes with suggested directions for future research and practice using the MRNI.

Initial Validation of the Male Role Norms Inventory-Revised (MRNI-R)

This article reports the results of the initial evaluation of the revised version of the Male Role Norms Inventory (MRNI-R). The MRNI-R assesses only traditional male role norms (thus dropping the Non-Traditional Attitudes subscale of the original MRNI), revises the labeling and content of the Self-Reliance subscale, drops the Achievement/Status subscale and substitutes the Dominance subscale, and updates the language throughout the instrument. The MRNI-R was administered to 170 undergraduate and graduate students (38 men and 132 women). One hundred and seven initial items were reduced to fifty-three items following iterative analyses of item-to-subscale correlations. Improved reliabilities were found for the MRNI-R and its subscales, with Cronbach alphas ranging from .73 to .96. Significant sex and racial/ethnic differences were found with respect to the endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology, providing support for its construct validity.

The normative Male Alexithymia Scale: Measurement of a gender-linked syndrome.

This series of studies assessed the psychometric properties of the Normative Male Alexithymia Scale (NMAS), a brief scale designed to assess normative male alexithymia. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using separate samples (n = 248 and 467, respectively) indicated that the NMAS consist

Masculinity ideology among Russian and U.S. young men and women and its relationships to unhealthy lifestyles habits among young Russian men.

One aim of this study was to further investigate the empirical support for the social constructionist perspective on gender roles. A 2nd aim was to explore the relationship between Russian men’s endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology and their engagement in behaviors that may put their health at risk. Russian respondents endorsed traditional masculinity ideology, developed for a U.S. sample, to a higher degree than did their American counterparts. Overall, women endorsed a less traditional perspective of masculinity ideology for men; however, this result was more pronounced among U.S. participants. Using a modification of the Susceptibility to Stress Scale (L. H. Miller, A. D. Smith, & B. L. Mehler, 1988), results yielded 1 variable associated with unhealthy lifestyle habits among Russian men: lower socioeconomic status.

Lost in Trans-Lation: Interpreting Systems of Trauma for Transgender Clients

Transgender clients frequently experience multiple types of violence (Mizock & Lewis, 2008), including interpersonal (violence that occurs between, at least, two people), self-directed (violence that is self-inflicted), and collective (violence that is inflicted by larger groups of people/institutions; Krug et al., 2002). Transgender clients who experience any of these types of violence are at a higher risk for developing psychiatric symptoms that may require the attention of a mental health care provider (Mizock & Lewis, 2008). Thus, it is crucial that clinicians understand how transgender clients respond to such violence and how these reactions relate to the clinical needs of transgender clients (Lev, 2004). In this article, we will summarize and cluster the types of violence that have been documented in the transgender literature. We will then highlight PTSD and complex PTSD as conceptual frameworks for working with transgender clients. Furthermore, we will examine how the binary notion of gender ignor...

The Personal is Political: A Feminist and Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Approach to Working With a Survivor of Sexual Assault

The following case study highlights the application of a conceptual framework that incorporates feminist theory, trauma theory, and the importance of attending to identity development with individuals who have experienced gender-based violence. This case study illustrates the treatment of a 25-year-old female survivor of sexual assault suffering from depression, anxiety, and feelings of self-blame. Findings show a decrease in depression and anxiety, which provides support for the effectiveness of an integrated feminist and trauma-informed therapeutic approach. Because very few graduate training programs incorporate feminist theory and trauma theory in their curricula, recommendations for clinicians and students are provided.

Feminist Participatory Action Research with Transgender Communities: Fostering the Practice of Ethical and Empowering Research Designs

ABSTRACT Research on topics related to transgender people in psychology has gradually increased over the last 2 decades, with a noted increase in scholarship over the last 5 years (Bockting & Coleman, 2007; DeSutter, Kira, Verschoor, & Hotimsky, 2002; Devor, 2004). However, there has been less attention to the use of participatory action research (PAR) frameworks with transgender people and communities. This article proposes specific strategies for feminist researchers engaging in PAR studies with transgender people and communities that are grounded in feminist theory. These strategies are summarized in a checklist that feminist researchers may use throughout the duration of a studys activities with transgender individuals and communities.

The Femininity Ideology Scale (FIS): Dimensions and Its Relationship to Anxiety and Feminine Gender Role Stress

The purpose of this study was to conduct a confirmatory factor analytic investigation of the Femininity Ideology Scale (FIS) and to assess whether feminine gender role stress mediated the relationship between femininity ideology and anxiety. During the 2010–2011 academic year, a convenience sample of 606 college women were recruited from three universities and one college. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four- versus the hypothesized five-factor model, resulting in the elimination of the Dependency/Deference factor. Mediation analysis using structural equation modeling indicated no direct relationship between Femininity Ideology and Anxiety, although an indirect one was observed, mediated through Feminine Gender Role Stress. The results are discussed in terms of possible changes in contemporary notions of femininity, and the utility of using the FIS in applied therapeutic settings.

It’s not a joke: Masculinity ideology and homophobic language.

In this exploratory study, we examined the influence of traditional masculinity ideology on adults’ perceptions of a homophobic slur among youth. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 vignettes describing an incident in which a 5, 10, or 15-year-old boy overhears the word “fag.” Participants then answered questions regarding the acceptability of the word, likelihood of use, and likelihood of intervention by teachers and peers. They also completed the Male Role Norms Inventory–Short Form (MRNI-SF; Levant, Hall, & Rankin, 2013). Age of boys in the scenario affected participants’ perception of likelihood to happen and sexual orientation of participant affected intervention expectations. Novel to the study, results indicated that MRNI-SF scores significantly influenced the acceptability of the use of the word “fag,” as well as whether participants thought the teacher and peers should intervene. These findings strengthen literature suggesting a connection between endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology and homophobia.

Gender Identity Disorder: Concerns and Controversies

Gender identity disorder (GID) remains the focus of considerable debate and, arguably, has divided interested parties (including health providers, transgendered people, transsexual people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning community members) into different camps of thought regarding reform of the diagnosis.