Masculinity as Predictor of Rape-Supportive Attitude among Men

Sexual aggression perpetrated by men is a serious health, social and interpersonal relationship problem in human society. The current study extends the existing literature in masculinity and rape-supportive attitude by exploring the role of masculinity and its subcomponents (i.e. hypermasculinity, sexual identity, dominance and aggression, conservative masculinity, and devaluation of emotion) in rape-supportive attitude. A survey using online questionnaire was used to collect data on rape myth, masculinity and its subcomponents from 107 men. The results indicated that masculinity, hypermasculinity, sexual identity, dominance and aggression, conservative masculinity, and devaluation of emotion contributed significantly to rape-supportive attitude. Limitations of the study and implications for research, education and intervention are discussed.