Abstract

Enacting gendered behaviors and using gendered resources has been a way for boys to "do masculinity." One place where boys do masculinity is the public school system. It plays a large role in facilitating adolescent youths' exposure to peer groups where they learn gendered behaviors. Our culturally imposed social script for hegemonic masculinity emphasizes strength and social dominance which can be seen to influence a variety of psychological areas. This thesis examines the relationship between hegemonic masculine traits and mental health. Mental health and masculinity were operationalized and measured using the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey containing measures of masculinity, mental health, and school connectedness. A univariate analysis was initially performed using the survey frequency procedure. Then a bivariate analysis was performed with the Chi-square test. A weighting factor was applied to adjust for nonresponse and the oversampling of Black and Hispanic students in the sample group. Weighted frequency and percentage were reported. The p value at a level 0.05 was considered significant. Finally, a logistical regression analysis was performed to understand whether hegemonic masculinity can predict the odds of reporting poor mental health in the sample controlling for other sociodemographic variables. Findings indicated that masculine ideals exert influence on mental health outcomes and raises concerns for adolescent boys

Notes

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Graduation Date

2021

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Hinojosa, Melanie

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Sociology

Degree Program

Applied Sociology

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0008455; DP0024130

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0024130

Language

English

Release Date

May 2021

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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