INFLUENCE OF ETHNIC IDENTITY AND PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION ON MALE GENDER ROLE CONFLICT'S IMPACT ON WELL-BEING A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BY CANDICE A. VINSON, M.A. DENTON, TEXAS AUGUST2010 TEXAS WOMAN'S UNNERSITY LIBRARY TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY DENTON, TEXAS July 14, 2 0 10 To the Dean of the Graduate School: I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Candice A. Vinson entitled "Influence of Ethnic Identity and Perceived Discrimination on Male Gender Role Conflict's Impact on Well-Being." I have examined this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Counseling Psychology. We have read this dissertation and recommend its acceptance: ~~c~ Department Chair Dean of the Graduate School DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my parents. Their love, generosity, and unending support have made all my accomplishments possible. Mom, your presence and support in my life provide a foundation on which I stand during difficult times. I am continually amazed by your strength and touched by your dedication to me, family, and friends. My love for you is endless, as yours is for me. Dad, you are missed more than I could ever have imagined. While I am saddened that you are not here to see my attainment of a Ph.D., I know that you were always proud of me and are with me in spirit to celebrate this moment. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are many people to thank and acknowledgefor their part in the completion of this dissertation. I would like to recognize Dr. Linda Rubin for both her guidance as my dissertation chair and as a mentor of my clinical work. I would not be the therapist I am today without her mentorship during my clinical training, and I will be forever gratefulthat she played such a pivotal role during my time at Texas Woman's University. I must extend gratitude to one of my internshipsupervisors, Ross Artwohl, LCSW. Working with him in a clinical rotation regarding issues of men and masculinity in therapy not only inspired my choice of topic forthis dissertation, but also irrevocably transformedme as a therapist and as a person. I would also like to recognize my committee members fortheir feedback, support, and guidance. Dr. Debra Mollen has played a central role in my training as a mentor of both my academic pursuits and my personal growth and forthat I will always be thankful. Dr. David Marshall's patience and guidance through the difficultprocess of statistical analysis was essential to the completion of this project, and his humor while doing so was greatly appreciated. WhileI had little time to get to know Dr. Jenelle Fitch, she has been tremendously supportive during this process, and I am glad I had the opportunity to work with her. lV Finally, my friends and family have been such an important source of support in the writing of this dissertation and throughout my graduate education. Without their humor, insight, perspective, and care, this journey would have been infinitely more arduous. My life is better for having them in it. V ABSTRACT CANDICE A. VINSON INFLUENCE OF ETHNIC IDENTITY AND PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION ON MALE GENDER ROLE CONFLICT'S IMPACT ON WELL-BEING AUGUST 2010 The purpose of this study was to examine the role of men's ethnic identity and experiences of perceived discrimination (PD) on their levels of gender role conflict (GRC); additionally, the role of moderation by ethnic identity was considered by analyzing its impact on the relationship between GRC and well-being as well as GRC and PD. A group of292 men of various ethnicities completed online measures of GRC, ethnic identity, PD, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life. Results showed that men with higher levels of GRC also had lower self-esteem and satisfaction with life. Men's levels of GRC were also found to be positively related to PD, such that higher levels of one were correlated with higher levels of the other. PD was unexpectedly found not to be related to self-esteem or satisfaction with life. Ethnic identity was positively related to self-esteem, but was unrelated to satisfaction with life. Ethnic identity was not found to act as a moderator in the relationships between GRC and well-being or between PD and well-being. The findings suggested that GRC remained a relevant factor in men's well­ being, while the role of ethnic identity was less clear. Given the salience of ethnic identity in the lives of men of color and the potential for harmful effects of GRC and PD, Vl the need for continued exploration of these variables in research was discussed. Also, the implications for mental health practitioners in their work with men were discussed. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DEDICATION ............................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................ iv ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... xi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................... 7 Men and Masculinity Ideology ....................................................................... 7 Social Constructivism and Gender ............................................................ 8 The Importance of Studying Masculinity ................................................. 9 Gender Role Conflict .............................................................................. 16 Summary ................................................................................................. 19 Race and Ethnicity ....................................................................................... 20 History of Race ....................................................................................... 20 Race in Research ................. .................................................................... 23 Defining Race ......................................................................................... 25 Defining Ethnicity .. ................................................................................. 26 Comparing Race and Ethnicity ............................................................... 28 Race and Ethnicity as Research Variables .............................................. 29 Summary ................................................................................................. 31 Variables of Ethnic Experience ................................................................. .. 32 Racial and Ethnic Identity ....................................................................... 32 Perceived Discrimination ........................................................................ 35 Impact of perceived discrimination on psychological functioning .... 36 Individual differences in response to perceived discrimination ........ 3 7 Racial and ethnic identity's buffering effects of perceived discrimination ........ ............................................................................ 3 9 Summary ................................................................................................. 45 Vlll Gender Role Conflict and Ethnic Identity ................................................... 45 African American Men ........................................................................... 4 7 Latino Men .............................................................................................. 5·3 Asian Men .............................................................................................. 58 Summary ................................................................................................ 61 Perceived Discrimination and Gender Role Conflict ................................... 61 Summary ............................................................................................... 63 Self-Esteem .................................................................................................. 63 Gender and Self-Esteem ........................................................................ 64 Self-Esteem and Gender Role Conflict.. ................................................ 64 Satisfaction with Life ................................................................................... 65 Gender, Gender Role Conflict, and Life Satisfaction ............................ 67 Summary ................................................................................................ 68 Concluding Summary .................................................................................. 68 Purpose of the Study .................................................................................... 69 III. METHOD ................ ......................................................................................... 71 Participants ................................................................................................... 71 Measures ...................................................................................................... 74 Demographic