Masculinity has been theorized to be an anxiety-provoking state. Consequently, many researchers have examined masculinity in relation to negative psychological outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol or substance use. However, emerging research suggests that certain facets of masculinity may also be related to positive psychological outcomes and that there is a need for more empirical research examining the differential impact of distinct masculine norms on both negative and positive outcomes. Accordingly, this study longitudinally examined the influence of masculine norms and gender role conflict on eudaimonic psychological well-being among young adult college men (N = 278). Participants were recruited from a public university and completed Time 1 (baseline) measures of masculine norm conformity and gender role conflict as well as Time 2 (6 months follow-up) measure of eudaimonic well-being. Results demonstrated that both masculine norm conformity and gender role conflict were predictive of increased and decreased well-being among young adult men. Specifically, the masculine norms of power and playboy were negatively associated with prospective well-being. In addition, gender role conflict, particularly restricted emotionality, was negatively associated with well-being. The norm of winning was positively associated with prospective well-being. In sum, men’s baseline adherence to traditional masculine norms was predictive of both positive and negative psychological well-being at follow-up, highlighting the differential impact of masculine norms on men’s health. The study’s theoretical and clinical implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

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Increasing rates of heavy episodic drinking (HED; four or more drinks in one sitting) and alcohol use disorders among young adult Asian American women signify the need to identify the risk and protective factors for HED and alcohol-related problems in this demographic. Multidimensional feminine norms, or the beliefs and expectations of what it means to be a woman, are theoretically relevant factors that may help elucidate within-group variability in HED and alcohol-related problems. The present study examined associations between nine salient feminine norms, HED, and alcohol-related problems among 398 second-generation Asian American college women. Our findings reveal that certain feminine norms are protective of HED and alcohol-related problems, while others are risk factors, even when controlling for well-established correlates of HED and alcohol-related problems, such as perceived peer drinking norms. The results elucidate the importance of multidimensional feminine norms and their relationship to HED and alcohol-related problems among the increasingly at-risk group, Asian American college women.

High-risk drinking typologies were identified in underage women, and these trajectories were related to feminine norms. Prevention and intervention programs targeting gender-relevant factors may help reduce problematic drinking and marijuana use among underage women engaging in problematic patterns of drinking.

The model minority stereotype (MMS) is a belief that Asian Americans’ comparative success comes from their hard-work and perseverance, coupled with a lack of barriers such as racism or discrimination against Asian Americans. In this study, we hypothesized that because the MMS demands cognitive energy, the use of self-efficacy as a regulator for depressive symptoms is then limited. Participants included 199 self-identified Asian American college students. A moderation effect of the MMS on the relationship between general self-efficacy and depressive symptoms was tested. Participants with low to above average Unrestricted Mobility (UM), a component of the MMS, displayed a regulating effect of self-efficacy on depressive symptoms, which was not found for individuals with higher UM. Although the variance of moderation effect was small (2%), this study is the first to suggest the effect of self-efficacy in lowering depressive symptoms may depend on the level of UM. Other findings and implications are further discussed.