A Negative State of Mind: Patterns of Depressive Symptoms Among Men With High Gender Role Conflict

The author investigated the relationship between patterns of depressive symptoms and subscales of the Gender-Role Conflict Scale (GRCS; J. M. O'Neil, B. J. Helms, R. K. Gable, L. David, & L. S. Wrightsman, 1986) in a sample of college-age men. A factor analysis of the Beck Depression Inventory (A. T. Beck, A. J. Rush, B. F. Shaw, & G. Emery, 1979) identified 3 factors: Negative Attitudes, Performance Difficulties, and Physiological Symptoms. The study revealed that the factor Negative Attitudes, characterized by such symptoms as self-dislike, feelings of failure, guilt, and pessimism, was associated with higher levels of GRCS Restrictive Emotionality. The study's limitations, directions for future research, and the implications for the counseling of male clients are discussed.