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Where Boys Learn to Be Men: Associations Between Media Use and Male Adolescents’ Gender Beliefs and Well-Being

American Psychological Association
Psychology of Men & Masculinities
Authors:
Erick R. Aguinaldo
Erick R. Aguinaldo
Erick R. Aguinaldo
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L. Monique Ward
L. Monique Ward
L. Monique Ward
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Leanna J. Papp
Leanna J. Papp
Leanna J. Papp
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Petal Grower
Petal Grower
Petal Grower
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Abstract

Men’s mainstream media exposure is often associated with traditional gender role endorsement, which in turn predicts negative mental health consequences. However, prior research often tested these associations among predominantly White, adult samples. The present study explored associations between consumption of three media genres that frequently feature men, endorsement of traditional gender roles, and mental health for a sample of Black, Asian American, and White male adolescents. Multigroup modeling indicated significant associations between media consumption and endorsement of traditional gender roles for all three groups and a significant association between traditional gender roles and mental distress among Asian American and White male adolescents. Results suggest that media may be a powerful force in young men’s gender beliefs and mental health regardless of racial background. Continued research is needed to elucidate how familial characteristics, such as mother’s education level, and features of boys’ cultural backgrounds, particularly for Black male adolescents, influence the extent to which traditional gender role endorsement predicts mental distress.
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Psychology of Men & Masculinities
Where Boys Learn to Be Men: Associations Between Media Use and Male
Adolescents’ Gender Beliefs and Well-Being
Erick R. Aguinaldo, L. Monique Ward, Leanna J. Papp, Petal Grower, and Stephanie Rowley
Online First Publication, December 12, 2024. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/men0000510
CITATION
Aguinaldo, E. R., Ward, L. M., Papp, L. J., Grower, P., & Rowley, S. (2024). Where boys learn to be men:
Associations between media use and male adolescents’ gender beliefs and well-being. Psychology of Men
& Masculinities. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/men0000510
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
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