Gender Differences in Pathology: The Relationship Between Gender Role Orientation and Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior

Gender differences in the expression of types of pathology in adolescence have been well established. The present study examined the relationship between gender role orientation as measured by the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (Bem, 1981), internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and pathology in at-risk adolescents. The participants included 63 males and 62 females with an average age of 18.1. A continuous androgyny variable defined as the extent to which one possesses traits normally associated with the other gender was created for the study. Internalizing and externalizing outcomes were assessed through both youth and parent report. It was hypothesized that high masculinity would be protective in the development of depression and internalizing problem behaviors. It was also expected to be linked to higher levels of externalizing behaviors, drug use, and delinquency. High femininity, however, was predicted to be linked to lower levels of drug use and delinquency while high levels of androgyny was expected to be linked to lower levels of both types of pathology. The findings indicated no relationship between either internalizing outcome and gender role orientation. High femininity was significantly predictive of lower drug use and delinquency, while high masculinity onl