THE IMPACT OF MASCULINITY AND NORMATIVE MALE ALEXITHYMIA ON INTERPERSONAL DIFFICULTIES IN YOUNG ADULT MALES

Abstract

The study of psychology of men and masculinity has been the focus of attention of research for the past 30 years. Scholars have explored how gender differences have impacted the way emotions have been communicated and expressed (Gross & Oliver, 1998). A recent study conducted in Pakistan revealed that men who believe less in masculinity ideals have more strong emotional bonds (Rizvi, 2015). Based on these findings, in the literature, it has been proposed that men, who had been discouraged as boys from expressing and talking about their emotions showed difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions throughout their lives which has been termed as normative male alexithymia (Levant, 2006). Emotions are related to many unconscious functions (Levenson, 1999), and when a person is aware of the emotion he is feeling, only then he is able to regulate it in healthy and socially appropriate ways and the inability to assign meaning to the emotional experiences negatively impacted the interpersonal functioning and quality of life of the individual (Laver, 2013). The present study is a correlational study aimed to explore the impact of masculinity and normative male alexithymia (NMA) on interpersonal difficulties (mistrust, lack of boundaries, and unstable relationships) in young adult males. It was hypothesized that those men who have more traditional beliefs would have higher interpersonal difficulties and this relationship would be mediated by NMA. Three assessment measures were used in the study along with a demographic form i.e. sex role attitude scale (Anila & Ansari, 1992), normative male alexithymia scale (Levant et al., 2006), and interpersonal difficulties scale (Saleem, Ihsan, & Mehmood, 2014). Sample of the study (N=232) included young adult males (Age = 18 to 24) who were approached through the universities of Lahore. Findings revealed significant MASCULINITY, ALEXITHYMIA, AND INTERPERSONAL DIFFICULTIES 13 positive relationship among traditional masculinity, NMA, and interpersonal difficulties. With the increase in traditional masculinity, normative male alexithymia (r = -.55, p < .01) and interpersonal difficulties (r = .49, p < .01) also increases. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that traditional masculinity predicted interpersonal difficulties and NMA aggravate the relationship. Further, it was found that NMA mediates the relationship between traditional masculinity and interpersonal difficulties. Findings of the study were explained and future implications were discussed.