Gender Roles and Self‐Esteem: A Consideration of Environmental Factors

Abstract

Much empirical research has examined the psychological well‐being of individuals with varying gender role orientations. This research has typically shown masculinity to be a strong correlate of self‐esteem and femininity to be relatively unrelated to self‐esteem. This research has often failed to consider the relative environmental influences impacting this process. This study examines the relationships of masculinity and femininity to self‐esteem and environmental presses for each of these sets of behavioral characteristics. Results indicate a stronger press for masculine characteristics than feminine characteristics. The person‐environment interaction suggests that a masculine environment may place women who are low in masculinity at particular risk for low self‐esteem. Implications for both research and practice are discussed.