Psychology of Men and Masculinity

Assessing the impact of the Psychology of men & masculinity, 2000–2008.
As the Psychology of Men & Masculinity (PMM) nears the end of its first decade, how has the journal performed over time and how has it fared relative to 41 sex and gender-related journals? To answer this, I estimated PMM's Journal Impact Factor (IF) by examining citations to PMM's 157 publications (volumes 1–9) listed in PsycINFO. The highest IF estimates where based on articles published from 2003–2005 where PMM performed better than average in 2005 (IF = 2.576; zIF = 1.07) and 2006 (IF = 2.452; zIF = 0.73) compared to sex and gender-related journals. The most cited articles focused on instrument construction and men's body image. I offer suggestions to help bolster PMM's influence as it moves into its second decade: (a) make articles available online ahead of print publication, (b) shorten review turnaround, (c) market PMM publications, and (d) publish special issues with wide appeal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
Content analysis of Psychology of men & masculinity (2000–2008).
In 2010, Psychology of men & masculinity (PMM) celebrates the 10th anniversary of its inception as the official journal of the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity. This article commemorates this significant milestone by examining the journal's current trends and future directions through a content analysis of 154 articles published in PMM from 2000 to 2008. We found that PMM scholarship was dominated by theories associated with the gender role strain paradigm, addressed clinically related topics, relied largely on White male college samples, and had a growing impact on clinically focused scholarly journals and books. Recommendations for addressing theoretical orientations, topics, and populations underrepresented in PMM scholarship are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
Correction to Levant et al. 2010.
Reports an error in "Evaluation of the factor structure and construct validity of scores on the Male Role Norms Inventory—Revised (MRNI-R)" by Ronald F. Levant, Thomas J. Rankin, Christine M. Williams, Nadia T. Hasan and K. Bryant Smalley (Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 2010[Jan], Vol 11[1], 25-37). In the article “Evaluation of the Factor Structure and Construct Validity of the Male Role Norms Inventory-Revised (MRNI-R)” by Ronald F. Levant, Thomas J. Rankin, Christine M. Williams, Nadia T. Hasan, and K Bryant Smalley, (Psychology of Men and Masculinity, Vol. 11, No 1, pp. 25-37), the number of items in the factored scale is incorrectly stated to be 40, whereas it is actually 39. This occurs twice in the first full paragraph in the second column on p. 31, which should read: “Taken together, these seven factors produced a final MRNI-R total factored scale of 39 items. . . . Though we utilized the seven factor, 39-item scale in the analyses that follow, it should be noted that the principal axis factor analysis is, in fact, exploratory and does not test that seven factors are present.” (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2010-00238-003.) This article reports the results of an evaluation of the factor structure, reliability, and construct validity of the Male Role Norms Inventory—Revised (MRNI–R). Results of a principal-axis factor analysis with 593 undergraduate participants (341 men, 251 women, 1 other) support the hypothesized factor dimensionality and, to a lesser extent, item placement. Evidence was found for internal consistency of the MRNI–R total score and the seven factor scores. Analyses of the men’s scores provided evidence for convergent validity through a significant correlation of the MRNI–R with the Male Role Attitudes Scale; for divergent validity, through the nonsignificant correlation with the Personal Attributes Questionnaire; and for concurrent validity, through the significant correlations with the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory, the Gender Role Conflict Scale, and the Normative Male Alexithymia Scale. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
Toward an anti-sexist Black American male identity.
In this article, the author presents an analysis of the socialization experience of an individual Black American man. He deconstructs critical childhood experiences that reinforced patriarchal norms, followed by experiences with family and in places of scholarship where he began to grapple with his role as an oppressor. Sexism in general is addressed, and the author expresses a need for men to acknowledge and confront their internalized and externalized sexism. This issue becomes particularly complex with Black American men who may feel systemically powerless. To eradicate sexism in the Black American community, Black American men must redefine their ideas about male identity. The author concludes by recommending that Black American men and all men of color discuss the impact of racism in their lives while still accepting responsibility for their sexist attitudes, behavior, and socialization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
Masculinity and interpersonal competencies: Contrasting White and African American men.
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. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
Masculine gender roles and differentiation: Predictors of body image and self-objectification in men.
Theory and previous research suggests that culture, traditional masculine ideology, and early relational experiences may affect male body image. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of ethnicity, gender role conflict, and differentiation of self (DOS) on body image and self-objectification among 202 college men. Results indicated that ethnicity and aspects of DOS were significant predictors of body image dissatisfaction, whereas aspects of gender role conflict and DOS were predictors of self-objectification. A particularly noteworthy finding of the study was that a clear sense of self and a lack of emotional enmeshment are related to low body image concerns and low self-objectification among men. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
Masculine gender role stress and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity among inpatient male crack/cocaine users.
This study examined the association between masculine gender role stress (MGRS) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, above and beyond other factors previously found to be associated with PTSD symptoms (e.g., anxiety sensitivity and thought suppression) among 33 crack/cocaine-dependent patients in residential substance abuse treatment. Participants completed a series of questionnaires and were interviewed to determine current PTSD symptom severity. MGRS accounted for a significant amount of additional variance in PTSD symptom severity above and beyond other identified risk factors for PTSD. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for reducing PTSD risk among men following exposure to a potentially traumatic event. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
“Walking over 'em”: An exploration of relations between emotion dysregulation, masculine norms, and intimate partner abuse in a clinical sample of men.
This study is the first to examine relations of emotion dysregulation, masculine norms, and abuse perpetration among men referred for domestic assault. Experiences of 108 men participating in batter intervention programs from 3 different cities were examined. Results suggest that intimate partner abuse, emotion dysregulation, and the specific masculine norms of dominance, emotional control, and self-reliance are associated. Multiple-regression analysis indicated that emotion dysregulation and the masculine norm of dominance accounted for about 25% of the variance in reported abuse. In addition, the masculine norms of emotional control and self-reliance were significantly associated with emotion dysregulation. These findings suggest that men who reported experiencing affect that was difficult for them to manage are more likely to abuse their partners and also tend to believe that men should not share their emotions or ask for help. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)

Psychology of Men & Masculinity - Vol 11, Iss 3