Research published in Current Psychology explores how conforming to feminine norms impacts psychological distress among college women. Conducted by Derek Kenji Iwamoto and colleagues, this study addresses a gap in understanding how gender norms affect mental health in a diverse college population.
Study Overview
The research involved 1,700 female undergraduates from a large public university in Southern California, with a predominantly Asian American sample. Participants completed the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory-45 (CFNI-45) to assess adherence to nine feminine norms and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) to measure psychological distress.
Key Findings
Increased Distress: Women who conformed to norms of Modesty, Thinness, and Invest in Appearance reported higher psychological distress. These norms may contribute to stress by emphasizing unrealistic standards and appearance-related pressures.
Protective Factors: Conversely, adherence to norms emphasizing Relationship and Care for Children was associated with lower distress. These norms may offer emotional support and social connection, which can mitigate stress.
No Significant Impact: Norms such as Domestic, Romantic Relationship, Sexual Fidelity, and Sweet and Nice did not show a significant impact on psychological distress, suggesting their effects might be less direct or nuanced.
Age Factor: Older students generally reported less distress, potentially due to better coping strategies or adaptation to the college environment.
Implications
The study highlights that not all feminine norms impact mental health equally. While some may exacerbate distress, others can act as buffers. The results emphasize the need for a nuanced understanding of how different gender norms affect psychological well-being.
