Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Are Traditional Gender Role Attitudes Associated With Risky Sexual Behavior and Condom-related Beliefs?

Sex Roles volume 52, pages 311–324 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Traditional gender role attitudes, which emphasize an unequal distribution of power in the family and stereotypical norms about masculinity, may be associated with unsafe sexual behavior and beliefs in young men and women. This study was designed to examine associations between gender role attitudes including gender-based family role attitudes and masculinity ideology, sexual behaviors, and condom-related beliefs in a sample of sexually active college students (N = 154). Family role attitudes were related to risky condom-related beliefs but not to risky sexual behavior. Masculinity ideology was related to both sexual behaviors and condom-related beliefs but, in some cases, in a direction opposite to that predicted. These unexpected findings and the utility of examining masculinity ideology among women are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Andersen, B. L., & Cyranowki, J. M. (1994). Women’s sexual self-schema. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67, 1079–1100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, B. L., Cyranowski, J. M., & Espindle, D. (1999). Men’s sexual self-schema. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76, 645–661.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amaro, H. (1995). Love, sex, and power: Considering women’s realities in HIV prevention. American Psychologist, 50, 437–447.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnett, J. J. (1992). Reckless behavior in adolescence: A developmental perspective. Developmental Review, 12, 339–373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baele, J., Dusseldorp, E., & Maes, S. (2001). Condom use self-efficacy: Effect on intended and actual condom use in adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 28, 421–431.

    Google Scholar 

  • Basen-Engquist, K., Masse, L., Coyle, K., Parcel, G. S., Banspach, S., Kirby, D., & Nordora, J. (1999). Validity of scales measuring the psychosocial determinants of HIV/STD-related risk behavior in adolescents. Health Education Research, 14, 25–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beckman, L. J., Harvey, S. M., & Tiersky, L. A. (1996). Attitudes about condoms and condom use among college students. Journal of American College Health, 44, 243–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boone, T. L., & Lefkowitz, E. S. (2004). Safer sex and the health belief model: Considering the contributions of peer norms and socialization factors. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 16, 51–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (1993). Sexual strategies theory: An evolutionary perspective on human mating. Psychological Review, 100, 204–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cerwonka, E. R., Isbell, T. R., & Hansen, C. E. (2000). Psychosocial factors as predictors of unsafe sexual practices among young adults. AIDS Education and Prevention, 12, 121–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connell, R. W. (1987). Gender and power: Society, the person and sexual politics. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, M. L., Peirce, R. S., Huselid, R. F. (1994). Substance use and sexual risk taking among Black adolescents and White adolescents. Health Psychology, 13, 251–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrhardt, A. A., & Wasserheit, J. N. (1991). Age, gender, and sexual risk behaviors for sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. In J. N. Wasserheit, S. O. Aral, K. K. Holmes, & P. J. Hitchcock (Eds.), Research issues in human behavior and sexually transmitted diseases in the AIDS Era (pp. 97–121). Washington, DC: American Society for Microbiology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomez, C. A., & Marin, B. V. (1996). Gender, culture, and power: Barriers to HIV-prevention strategies for women. Journal of Sex Research, 33, 355–362.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrick, S. S., & Hendrick, C. (1995). Gender differences and similarities in sex and love. Personal Relationships, 2, 55–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, L. W., & Kloska, D. D. (1995). Parents’ gender-based attitudes toward marital roles and child rearing: Development and validation of new measures. Sex Roles, 32, 372–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hynie, M., Lydon, J. E., Cote, S., Wiener, S. (1998). Relational sexual scripts and women’s condom use: The importance of internalized norms. The Journal of Sex Research, 35, 370–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jemmott, L. S., & Jemmott, J. B. (1992). Increasing condom use intentions among sexually active Black adolescent women. Nursing Research, 41, 273–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalof, L. (1995). Sex, power, and dependency: The politics of adolescent sexuality. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 24, 229–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ku, L., Sonenstein, F. L., & Pleck, J. H. (1993). Young men’s risk behaviors for HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases, 1988 through 1991. American Journal of Public Health, 83, 1609–1615.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leigh, B. C., Morrison, D. M., Trocki, K., & Temple, M. T. (1994). Sexual behavior of American adolescents: Results from a U.S. national survey. Journal of Adolescent Health, 15, 117–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, J. E., Malow, R. M., & Ireland, S. J. (1997). HIV/AIDS in heterosexual college students: A decade of literature. Journal of American College Health, 45, 147–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahoney, C. A., Thombs, D. L., & Ford, O. J. (1995). Health belief and self-efficacy models: Their utility in explaining college student condom use. AIDS Education and Prevention, 7, 32–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maibach, E., & Murphy, D. A. (1995). Self-efficacy and health promotion research and practice: Conceptualization and measurement. Health Education Research, 10, 37–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maybach, K. L., & Gold, S. R. (1994). Hyperfemininity and attraction to macho and non-macho men. Journal of Sex Research, 31, 91–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCormack, A. S., Anderton, J., & Barbieri, T. (1993). Gender, HIV awareness, and prevention among college students. College Student Journal, 27, 514–522.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCreary, D. R., Newcomb, M. D., & Sadava, S. W. (1998). Dimensions of the male gender role: A confirmatory analysis in men and women. Sex Roles, 39, 81–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J. B. (1986). Toward a new psychology of women. Boston: Beacon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mosher, D. L., & Sirkin, M. (1984). Measuring a macho personality constellation. Journal of Research in Personality, 18, 150–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murnen, S., & Byrne, D. (1991). Hyperfemininity: Measurement and initial validation of the construct. Journal of Sex Research, 26, 85–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Center for Health Statistics. (2000). Health, United States, 2000 with adolescent health chartbook (DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 2000-1232-1). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, J. T., Halkitis, P. N., Bimbi, D., & Borkowski, T. (2000). Perceptions of the benefits and costs associated with condom use and unprotected sex among late adolescent college students. Journal of Adolescence, 23, 377–391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pleck, J. H., Sonenstein, F. L., & Ku, L. C. (1993). Masculinity ideology: Its impact on adolescent males’ heterosexual relationships. Journal of Social Issues, 49, 11–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulerwitz, J., Amaro, H., DeJong, W., Gortmaker, S., & Rudd, R. (2002). Relationship power, condom use, and HIV risk among women in the USA. AIDS Care, 14, 789–800.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapaport, K., & Burkhart, B. R. (1984). Personality and attitudinal characteristics of sexually coercive college males. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 93, 216–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serovich, J. M., & Greene, K. (1997). Predictors of adolescent sexual risk taking behaviors which put them at risk for contracting HIV. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 26, 429–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinn, J. S. (1997). The predictive and discriminant validity of masculinity ideology. Journal of Research in Personality, 31, 117–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soet, J. E., Dudley, W. N., & DiIorio, C. (1999). The effects of ethnicity and perceived power on women’s sexual behavior. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 23, 707–723.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spence, J. T., & Helmreich, R. (1972). The Attitudes Toward Women Scale: An objective instrument to measure attitudes toward the rights and roles of women in contemporary society. Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology, 2, 66–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, E. H., & Pleck, J. H. (1986). The structure of male role norms. American Behavioral Scientist, 29, 531–543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wingood, G. W., & DiClemente, R. J. (2000). Application of the theory of gender and power to examine HIV-related exposures, risk factors, and effective interventions for women. Health Education and Behavior, 27, 539–565.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoder, J. D., & Kahn, A. S. (1992). Toward a feminist understanding of women and power. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 16, 381–388.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

    Cindy L. Shearer, Meghan M. Gillen & Eva S. Lefkowitz

  2. Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

    Shelley J. Hosterman

  3. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State University, S-113 Henderson Building, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802

    Cindy L. Shearer

Authors
  1. Cindy L. Shearer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shelley J. Hosterman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Meghan M. Gillen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Eva S. Lefkowitz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cindy L. Shearer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shearer, C.L., Hosterman, S.J., Gillen, M.M. et al. Are Traditional Gender Role Attitudes Associated With Risky Sexual Behavior and Condom-related Beliefs?. Sex Roles 52, 311–324 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-2675-4

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-2675-4

Keywords

search

Navigation