How does Traditional Masculinity Ideology and Emotional Competence relate to Aggression and Physical Domestic Violence in Cisgender Men?

Abstract

Background: Men are disproportionately often perpetrators of physical domestic violence (DV).Gender role constructs, such as traditional masculinity ideologies (TMI), are broadly accepted as anexplanation for this effect. Emotional competence further constitutes an important role in TMI andthe prevention of DV. However, the interactions between these constructs remains unclear.Objective: The present study aims to investigate associations of TMI with aggression, DVperpetration, and emotional competence, while also examining emotional competence as a potentialmoderator.Method: A sample of 428 cisgender men (Mage = 43.9 ± 15.3) from German-speaking countries inEurope completed an anonymous online survey that assessed TMI, aggression, and DV perpetrationas well as alexithymia, emotion regulation, and self-compassion as indicators of emotionalcompetence.Results: Strong TMI were associated with high levels of aggression and overall reduced emotionalcompetence, as reflected by high levels of alexithymia, frequent use of expressive suppression, andlow levels of self-compassion. Strong conformity to TMI was associated with a higher likelihood forDV perpetration when considering relevant sociodemographic covariates. Moderation analysesrevealed that expressive suppression buffered the association between TMI and DV perpetration.Conclusions: Men with strong TMI report high levels of aggression and impaired emotionalcompetence. While strong conformity to TMI was associated with frequent perpetration of DV,higher expressive suppression seems to buffer the association between TMI and DV perpetration.The present study highlights the importance of addressing gender ideologies when working onaggression, DV perpetration and emotional competence in men.

Study Dropout Thoughts in Male University Students as Warning Sign for Suicidal Ideation and Mental Health Problems

“…However, due to the fact that men are even hesitant to report such risk factors to family members or friends because of TMI such as the need to be tough, self-reliant, dominant, or stoic, the identification of these risk factors mainly depends upon individuals reaching out to professionals. As a result, men's reluctance to seek help for mental health problems renders screening for the above mentioned risk factors less functional (Eggenberger et al, 2022;Logoz et al, 2022). Therefore, other more low-threshold risk factors are urgently needed for the early detection and effective prevention of male student's suicide.…”

“…In the early detection of suicidality and mental health problems in male university students, study dropout thoughts may play a key role because they are more openly communicated than mental health problems and suicidal ideation. Research on TMI consistently highlights that seeking help for mental health problems is diametrically opposed to TMI of self-reliance and emotional control, that still affect how men and also in particular young men think and feel today (Eggenberger et al, 2022;Logoz et al, 2022;Walther & Seidler, 2020). In contrast, when communicating study dropout thoughts, male students may feel they seem in control of the situation being able to end the potentially overwhelming situation whenever they want, while secretly facing fear of failure.…”

Thoughts about dropping out of studies as warning sign for suicidal ideation and mental health problems in male university students

“…In the early detection of suicidal ideation and mental health problems in male university students, study dropout thought may play a key role because they are more openly communicated than mental health problems and suicidal ideation. Research on TMI consistently highlights that seeking help for mental health problems is diametrically opposed to TMI of self-reliance and emotional control, that still affect how men and also in particular young men think and feel today [8,[17][18][19][20][21]. In contrast, when communicating study dropout thoughts, male students may feel they seem in control of the situation being able to end the potentially overwhelming situation whenever they want, while secretly facing fear of failure.…”