Homophobia and Toxic Masculinity Linked to Violence, Depression
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that men who are homophobic and display traits of toxic masculinity are more likely to bully, be violent, sexual harass, and experience depression and suicidal thoughts, The Daily Mail reports.
For the study, researchers examined data from 3,600 men using the "Man Box Scale" developed by Promundo-US which, according to that organization, measures "a rigid contruct of cultural ideas about male identity. This includes being self-sufficient, acting tough, looking physically attractive, sticking to rigid gender roles, being heterosexual, having sexual prowess, and using aggression to resolve conflicts." The scale's origins go back to the 1980s with activist Paul Kivel and his colleagues at the Oakland Men's Project, the Daily Mail reports, as they sought to understand the societal conditioning of how men are expected to respond to a variety of situations.
The University of Pittsburgh asked questions pertaining to constructions of masculinity, gender roles and equality, and mental health. Researchers found:
...those men who scored higher on the Man Box scale were up to five times more likely to engage in online, physical or verbal bullying, as well as sexual harassment. Furthermore, higher scores were seen to be associated with twice the risk of experiencing depression, or suicidal thoughts.
Elizabeth Miller, author of the paper and medical anthropologist at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, explains that despite the vast discussion surrounding toxic masculinity, there hasn't been agreement "on a standardized way to measure the concept."
Paper co-author Amber Hill, also at University of Pittsburgh, reiterates the consequences of heteronormative conditioning:
"These findings highlight how detrimental harmful masculinities can be to the people who endorse them, as well as their peers, families and communities at large... It's important to remember that individuals of all genders are influenced and impacted by the heteronormative society that we live in."
Included in the Daily Mail's report is a "new, shortened version of the 'Man Box' survey," developed by the researchers and focusing on lines of inquiry pertaining to violence and mental health.