Gender role development and body image among male and female first year college students

Meghan M. Gillen, Eva S. Lefkowitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the current study we examined associations between gender role development and body image. Male and female first-semester college students (N = 434) who identified as African American, Latino/a American, and European American completed surveys about gendered personality traits (instrumentality/expressivity), gender role attitudes, and aspects of body image (e.g., satisfaction, orientation). Gendered traits were more frequently associated with body image than were gender role attitudes. In particular, individuals who were more instrumental and less inauthentic in their relationships felt more positive about their bodies. Gender role attitudes were also associated with body image, but sometimes in an unexpected direction. These findings highlight the importance of examining multiple components of gender role development and body image in both men and women.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)25-37
Number of pages13
JournalSex Roles
Volume55
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Gender Studies
  • Social Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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