The Masculinity Contingency Scale (MCS): Scale development and psychometric properties.

Abstract

This article reports the development and psychometric properties of the Masculinity Contingency Scale (MCS), a measure designed to assess the extent that a man's self-worth is derived from his sense of masculinity. Across 4 studies, results provided support for this new measure's reliability and validity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided support for a hierarchical model with a superordinate factor (masculinity contingency) and 2 factors that correspond to 2 subscales: MCS-Threat (self-worth is threatened by a lack of masculinity) and MCS-Boost (self-worth is boosted by confirmation of masculinity). Evidence for good reliability was demonstrated by high alpha coefficients and test-retest reliability. Evidence for convergent, discriminant, criterion-related, and incremental validity was demonstrated by testing the associations between the MCS and existing masculinity measures, sexism measures, homophobia, and trait self-esteem. The results indicated that, in general, high masculinity contingency scores were associated with negative social and personal outcomes. Furthermore, MSC-Threat scores were more strongly associated with these negative outcomes than MCS-Boost scores. These findings are discussed in light of the conceptual, methodological, and practical contributions of the MCS.

Complex Relationships Among Masculine Norms and Health/Well-Being Outcomes: Correlation Patterns of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory Subscales

“…The crux of improving men’s mental and physical health relies on men’s ability to do two things simultaneously: increase beliefs and behaviors that promote health ( Wong et al, 2016 ) while performing their gender identity in positive ways ( Burkley, Wong, & Bell, 2016 ). In other words, men must be able to “feel like a man” in ways congruent with beliefs and behaviors that promote health.…”

The Relationship between Masculinity and Internalized Homophobia amongst Australian Gay Men

“…The Masculinity Contingency Scale (MCS) [ 43 ] is a scale assessing a man’s self-worth in relation to his sense of masculinity (e.g., “I can’t respect myself if I don’t behave like a ‘real man’”). The MCS consists of 10 items and measures threats to masculinity (MCS-Threat) and boosts to masculinity (MCS-Boost) using a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 7 (Strongly Agree).…”

Insights into Men’s Sexual Aggression Toward Women: Dehumanization and Objectification

“…The specific scales included for the two subsamples were chosen such that an equal number of items would be completed by each group. One half (102 men; reduced to 96) completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI; Glick and Fiske 1996), the Masculinity Contingency Scale's (MCS) threat scale (Burkley et al 2016), and four Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory subscales (i.e., risk taking, violence, power over women, and playboy; Parent and Moradi 2011). The other half (101 men; reduced to 94) completed the Short Dark Triad (SD3) scales for narcissism and psychopathy (Jones and Paulhus 2014); the Multidimensional Inventory of Development, Sex, and Aggression's (MIDSA) sexual sadism subscales (Knight and Cerce 1999); and the physical aggression scale (Wrench 2002).…”

“…The Masculinity Contingency Scale (MCS; Burkley et al 2016) measures the extent that men's self-worth and identity depend on their personal masculinity, without relying on specific, often culturally dependent norms. We employed the five-item threat subscale, which assesses how much one's sense of self-worth is threatened by failure to live up to the demands of masculinity (e.g., BMy self-worth suffers if I think my manhood is lacking^), rated from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).…”

“…We employed the five-item threat subscale, which assesses how much one's sense of self-worth is threatened by failure to live up to the demands of masculinity (e.g., BMy self-worth suffers if I think my manhood is lacking^), rated from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). The threat subscale is more related to negative outcomes for men than the un-used subscale related to boosting self-worth through masculinity (Burkley et al 2016). Scores were computed by averaging across items, with higher scores indicating greater contingency of self-worth based on masculinity, α = .88.…”