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Supportive When Not Supported? Male Responses to Negative Climates for Women

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Abstract

This study examined the relationship between perceived climate for women and job satisfaction in a male-dominated context, focusing on moderating variables which may augment or decrease this relationship for men. Specifically, it was predicted that job satisfaction will be lower for women and men in a male-dominated context when they perceive a negative climate for women, but that this relationship will be moderated for men based on the levels of support and exclusion they experience. Using a sample of 239 (75.7% male) professors, staff, graduate assistants, and undergraduate assistants in a male-dominated science department of a large Midwestern university, we found that perceptions of a negative climate for women were significantly related to lower reports of job satisfaction for both women and men. However, perceived organizational support moderated this relationship, such that the job satisfaction of men who felt highly supported by the organization were unaffected by the perceived climate for women. Discussion and implications of results are included.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 333 Psychology Building, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA

    Jennifer L. Wessel & Ann Marie Ryan

Authors
  1. Jennifer L. Wessel
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  2. Ann Marie Ryan
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Correspondence to Jennifer L. Wessel.

Appendix A

Appendix A

Climate for Women Scale

1. Some people in the Lab have a condescending attitude toward women. (RC1)

2. Men are more likely than women to receive helpful career advice from colleagues. (RC)

3. Men receive preferential treatment in the areas of recruitment and promotions. (RC)

4. There is equal access for both men and women to lab/research space and resources.

5. This work environment promotes adequate collegial opportunities for women.

6. In meetings, people pay just as much attention when women speak as when men do.

7. Women are appropriately represented in senior positions.

8. Sex discrimination is a big problem in the Lab. (RC)

9. Male colleagues are more likely to be sought for collaborative research than females, given comparable scientific expertise. (RC)

10. I have observed situations in the Lab in which an individual has been denigrated based on gender. (RC)

11. Informal networks in the Lab systematically exclude individuals on the basis of gender (RC)

Perceived Organizational Support Scale

1. My colleagues/Academic staff/faculty value my contribution to the lab.

2. My colleagues/Academic staff/faculty respect my goals and values.

3. Help is available from my colleagues/academic staff/faculty when I have a problem in the lab.

4. My colleagues/Academic staff/faculty really care about my well-being

5. My colleagues/Academic staff/faculty care about my general satisfaction at work.

6. My colleagues/Academic staff/faculty care about my opinions.

7. My colleagues/Academic staff/faculty take pride in my accomplishments at work.

Job Satisfaction Scale

1. All in all, I am satisfied with my job.

2. In general, I like working here.

3. My talents and abilities are used appropriately in my job.

4. I feel I am given the opportunity to develop my skills.

1RC indicates the item was reverse-coded in scale construction

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Wessel, J.L., Ryan, A.M. Supportive When Not Supported? Male Responses to Negative Climates for Women. Sex Roles 66, 94–104 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-011-0058-6

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