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Internalized Misogyny as a Moderator of the Link between Sexist Events and Women’s Psychological Distress

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Abstract

This study examined the relationship between internalized misogyny and two other forms of internalized sexism, self-objectification and passive acceptance of traditional gender roles. In addition, it examined the moderating role of internalized misogyny in the link between sexist events and psychological distress. Participants consisted of 274 heterosexual women who were recruited at a large southern university in the United States and completed an online survey. Results indicated that internalized misogyny was related to, but conceptually distinct from self-objectification and passive acceptance. Findings also indicated that greater experiences of sexist events were associated with higher levels of psychological distress. In addition, internalized misogyny intensified the relationship between external sexism and psychological distress.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, 37996-0900, USA

    Dawn M. Szymanski, Arpana Gupta, Erika R. Carr & Destin Stewart

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  1. Dawn M. Szymanski
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  2. Arpana Gupta
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  3. Erika R. Carr
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  4. Destin Stewart
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Correspondence to Dawn M. Szymanski.

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Szymanski, D.M., Gupta, A., Carr, E.R. et al. Internalized Misogyny as a Moderator of the Link between Sexist Events and Women’s Psychological Distress. Sex Roles 61, 101–109 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-009-9611-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-009-9611-y

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