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

Overview

Journal Am J Health Promot

Date 2023 Jan 17

PMID 36648009

Authors

Katelyn M Sileo

Rebecca Luttinen

Suyapa Munoz

Terrence D Hill

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the associations between gender role discrepancy (non-conformity to socially prescribed masculine gender role norms) and discrepancy stress (distress arising from this discrepancy) on COVID-19 prevention behaviors among men, and the potential moderating effects of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and income on these relationships.

Design: A national online survey was conducted between May and June 2021.

Setting: The United States.

Subjects: 749 adult men residing in the United States.

Measures: A scale measured gender role discrepancy and discrepancy stress. COVID-19 prevention outcomes were constructed and included self-reported vaccination status/intentions, social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand-sanitizing.

Analysis: Multivariate generalized linear models were performed in SPSS.

Results: Gender role discrepancy associated with greater odds of vaccination (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.02-1.78, = .04), while discrepancy stress associated with lower odds of vaccination (AOR = .48, 95% CI = .35-.68, < 0. 001) and mask-wearing (AOR = .54, 95% CI = .37-.79, = .001) for men overall. Discrepancy stress's negative effect on specific COVID-19 prevention behaviors was only apparent or was amplified for men in lower income brackets (vaccination, social distancing, mask-wearing), racial/ethnic minority men (vaccination), and sexual minority men (social distancing).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that gender role discrepancy stress negatively affects men's engagement in COVID-19 prevention, particularly for men in marginalized populations.

Citing Articles

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

Upenieks L, McGowan A, Hill T Am J Mens Health. 2024; 18(3):15579883241255187.

PMID: 38794958 PMC: 11128176. DOI: 10.1177/15579883241255187.

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