When Male Norms Don’t Fit: Do Traditional Attitudes of Female Colleagues Challenge Men in Non-traditional Occupations?

Abstract

Our study examined whether traditional attitudes of female colleagues toward the male role negatively impact the psychological health of German men in nontraditional occupations and whether these relationships are mediated by social stressors at work. Traditional attitudes are presented as a threefold concept: Attitudes of female colleagues toward male anti-femininity, status, and toughness were measured. One hundred and thirteen men and 174 of their female colleagues from eastern parts of Germany and working in the healthcare and educational sectors completed hard-copy questionnaires. We used bootstrapped regression models to test for direct effects, controlling for autonomy, working hours, professional tenure, and sector of work. Bootstrapping strategies were also used for the analysis of indirect effects, even considering controls. The attitudes of female colleagues toward male anti-femininity were directly related to heightened depressive moods and lowered job satisfaction. For the attitudes of female colleagues toward male status, or male toughness we found no such direct relationships. Only indirect effects of female colleagues' attitudes toward male status, or male toughness on men's job satisfaction through social stressors were found. The study provides theoretical reasoning and empirical evidence for the importance of female colleagues' attitudes and interpersonal conflicts at work for German men in non-traditional occupations.

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