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Masculinity Ideology, Male Identity, and Romantic Relationship Quality Among Heterosexual and Gay Men

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Abstract

This research assessed factors that may affect men’s romantic relationships. One hundred men (50 heterosexual and 50 gay) in the Northeast US completed measures that assessed masculinity ideology, male identity, and relationship quality. We examined whether the quality of heterosexual men’s romantic relationships differ from that of romantic relationships among gay men, and whether masculinity ideology and male identity are related to the quality of heterosexual and same-sex romantic relationships. Results indicated no differences between heterosexual and gay men in the perceived quality of romantic relationships. However, in both gay and heterosexual men, traditional masculinity ideology and a male identity characterized by a lack of psychological relatedness to other men were associated with lower quality romantic relationships.

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  1. Psychology Department, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA

    Jay C. Wade & Eric Donis

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  1. Jay C. Wade
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Correspondence to Jay C. Wade.

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Wade, J.C., Donis, E. Masculinity Ideology, Male Identity, and Romantic Relationship Quality Among Heterosexual and Gay Men. Sex Roles 57, 775–786 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9303-4

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