The Role of Men\u27s Friendships in Psychological Distress, Fear of Emotions, and Adherence to Masculine Role Norms

The broad aim of this project is to investigate the effects of gender role strain on men\u27s quality of same-sex friendships and their associated level of psychological adjustment. The study presents an integrated model of the associations between gender role strain, fear of emotions, friendship quality, and distress in a sample of college men. Scant research to date has focused on the role of men\u27s friendships specifically in psychological functioning; findings from the current study provide suggestions for clinical practice with men, particularly those who subscribe to a traditional model of masculinity and/or possess a constricted sense of social connection