Baron-Cohen's Cognitive Styles as a Mediator between Gender Role and Mental Health among Undergraduates

Abstract

This study examined the effects of gender role on mental health through cognitive styles. Scales measuring the cognitive styles of empathizing and systemizing, the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (for mental health) were administered on 981 university students. First, the subscales on cognitive styles were developed. A hierarchical regression analysis showed that cognitive styles functioned as a mediator between gender role and mental health. Gender role positively affected the cognitive styles of both men and women. In both men and women, empathizing, which was mediated by masculinity and femininity, significantly affected mental health, and decreased the risk of mental health problems. Furthermore in women, systemizing, which was mediated by masculinity, or masculinity and femininity, predicted the increase in mental health problems. The performance of systemizing related to gender roles was diversified only in women.