Gender Role Conflict and Psychological Distress in Male Counseling Center Clients

Abstract

The relationship between gender role conflict factors and psychological distress was investigated in a sample of men seeking services from a university counseling center. Ninety-nine men completed the Gender Role Conflict Scale and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Structural equation modeling indicated that gender role conflict predicted psychological distress. More specifically, simultaneous multiple regression equations revealed that striving for success, power, and competition was related positively to hostility; restrictive affectionate behavior between men was related positively to social discomfort; and conflict between work and family was related positively to hostility, social discomfort, and obsessive-compulsiveness. Implications for counseling, suggestions for future research, and limitations of the study are discussed. © 2000 Educational Publishing Foundation.