Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine the effects of male gender role on the adjustment of Korean men. In study 1 Korean Male gender Role Scale was developed. A 52-item scale was constructed based on the responses of 432 college-aged and middle-aged men to theoretically-derived preliminary items. Five factors were extracted: achievement orientation, the initiative, task orientation, responsibility for family and friendship with male friends. Study 2 examined the relationship between male gender role and several adjustment variables. Correlational analyses indicated that in the college men self-esteem and career identity were positively correlated with the initiative and friendship with male friends was positively correlated with life satisfaction. College men's depression level was negatively correlated with the initiative and task orientation. Among the middle-aged men, self-esteem was also positively correlated with the initiative and task orientation. But responsibility for family was positively correlated with depression and job dissatisfaction in the middle-aged men. In both groups satisfaction with male gender role was positively correlated with self-esteem and life satisfaction but negatively correlated with depression. Finally, limitations of this study and direction of future research were discussed.