Gender role identity in a sample of Italian male homosexuals.
Gender role is a multifactorial concept, as gender-related attitudes, behaviors, and personality are partially autonomous. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalent gender role identity in a sample of male homosexuals. One hundred male homosexuals and 50 male heterosexuals matched for age and sex, have been assessed with the Italian version of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI; Bem, 1974). Statistically significant differences have been found between the two groups at the dimensions "Masculine" (z = 1.963; p = 0.001) and "Androgyny" (z = 2.367; p < 0.0001). The results obtained from the present study tend to confirm that homosexuals view themselves as adrogynous individuals, sharing both features of masculine and feminine gender roles.
Zoccali
Rocco
R
Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Messina, Italy. Rocco.Zoccali@unime.it
Muscatello
Maria Rosaria
MR
Bruno
Antonio
A
Serranò
Domenico
D
Campolo
Domenica
D
Pandolfo
Gianluca
G
Cedro
Clemente
C
La Torre
Diletta
D
Meduri
Mario
M
D000328:Adult; D005783:Gender Identity; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012649:Self Concept