Conformity to masculine norms, gender role conflict and relationship satisfaction in inter-male friendships

From an early age and consistently throughout the lifespan, men are inundated with messages about what it means to be a man, and consistently discouraged from displaying any vulnerable emotions. Masculinity research has increasingly focused on understanding the effects of traditional norms of masculinity and gender-linked stressors, known as gender role conflict, on the lives and psychological well-being of men. However, little is known about how these factors may impact men's relationship satisfaction in their friendships with other men. In this study, participants' levels of conformity to traditional masculine norms and gender-linked stress were measured and analyzed in relation to their levels of relationship satisfaction in inter-male friendships. Respondents with more conformity to traditional masculine norms were found to have higher levels of gender role conflict, supporting existing research findings. Gender role conflict was found to significantly negatively correlate with friendship satisfaction, suggesting that men experiencing more gender-linked stress in their lives have less fulfilling friendships with other men.