Summarizing 25 Years of Research on Men's Gender Role Conflict Using the Gender Role Conflict Scale

TLDR

The article introduces the gender role conflict construct through past definitions and theoretical models. The study proposes a contextual research paradigm with seven domains, 18 research questions, and two models to encourage moderation and mediation research on men's GRC. The authors review 232 empirical studies using the GRCS, examine its empirical support, criticism, and challenges, and discuss a new diagnostic schema for assessing men's GRC in therapy and psychoeducational interventions. The review summarizes findings across diverse men, showing that gender role conflict is significantly linked to psychological and interpersonal problems, underscoring its importance for psychologists and helping professionals.

Abstract

This article reviews 232 empirical studies that used the Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS) over the past 25 years (1982-2007). The article introduces the gender role conflict (GRC) construct using past definitions and theoretical models. The research findings for diverse men are summarized and studies related to men's intrapersonal, interpersonal, and therapeutic lives are analyzed. The empirical support, criticism, and challenges to the gender role conflict research program are reviewed. A contextual research paradigm with seven domains is presented and 18 research questions and two research models are discussed to foster more moderation and mediation studies on men's GRC. A new diagnostic schema to assess men's GRC in therapy and during psychoeducational interventions is discussed. The research review concludes that GRC is significantly related to men's psychological and interpersonal problems and therefore an important construct for psychologists and other helping professionals.