<p> This study investigated relationships between gender, mentoring, and leader self-efficacy in a sample of n = 188 managers working in the United States. Differences in self-reports of leader efficacy were examined based on manager gender, the presence of a mentor, mentor gender, mentor organizational level, type of mentoring (formal vs. informal), mentoring function (career support, psychosocial support, role modeling), the quality of the mentoring relationship, and the gender composition of the mentoring dyad. Counter to earlier research, women in the sample reported higher levels of leader self-efficacy when compared to men, though all but one of these mean differences were non-significant. Among managers with mentors at the top levels of the organization, women reported significantly higher levels of leader self-efficacy than men did. Mentored managers reported slightly higher, but non-significant, differences in mean leader self-efficacy compared to non-mentored managers. Among mentored managers significant differences in mean leader self-efficacy were found based on the organizational level of the mentor, primary mentoring function, and the quality of the mentoring relationship. A hierarchical multiple regression to predict leader self-efficacy from mentoring function was significant and predicted 34% of the variance in scores on leader self-efficacy. A hierarchical multiple regression to predict leader self-efficacy from mentoring function, mentor organizational level, type of mentoring, and the gender composition of the mentoring dyad, was significant and predicted 45% of the variance in scores of leader self-efficacy. Career support mentoring and mentor organizational level were the most significant predictors in the model.</p>

<p> Stay-at-home fathers, male primary caretakers of their children, represent an emergent form of fatherhood challenging gendered stereotypes related to breadwinning, caretaking, and parenting. This study explores, from a social constructionist and feminist perspective informed by critical men&rsquo;s studies, social psychology, and psychoanalysis, how stay-at- home fathering is socially constructed across gendered everyday social spaces and places. More specifically, the focus is on how the social dynamics within the everyday spaces and places of these men are shaped by cultural stereotypes and gendered interactions. Nine White, middle-class, college-educated, heterosexual stay-at-home fathers taking care of at least one child under the age of 12 and married to a breadwinning wife were interviewed. The transcribed interviews were coded using an inductive thematic analysis applying a narrative methodology. A typology of five social spaces and places is proposed and theorized. Each gendered space and place identified is associated with distinct affective experiences by the stay-at-home fathers and gendered social dynamics that oppress, affirm, or validate the men&rsquo;s identity as male caretakers. The gendered stereotypes of &ldquo;The Hero,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Pervert of the Playground,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Unwelcome Intruder,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Man Among Men,&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Communal Father&rdquo; are proposed. Conceptually, gender dualism, the repertoire of possible male caretaker identities, and the challenges of embodied masculine caretaking are discussed. Stay-at-home fathers struggle with documented loneliness and social isolation; the findings presented have important clinical implications for counselors and therapists working with stay-at-home fathers. </p><p> <i>Key words:</i> stay-at-home father, identity, loneliness, isolation, stereotype, social interaction, gendered space, social geography, public spaces, private spaces, social dynamics, social constructionism, doing gender, masculine care, emergent masculinity, playground, playgroup, volunteering. </p>

<p> The research problem addressed in this study was the relationship between racism and self-efficacy. While racism lowers self-efficacy, it is not clear whether the relationship between racial discrimination and self-efficacy is stronger or weaker depending on an individual&rsquo;s race, gender, or levels of resilience. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships between racial discrimination, self-efficacy, and resilience, while also accounting for the demographic variables of gender and race, thus better equipping mental health professionals working with female and/or minority clients. A quantitative, correlational study design was proposed to answer four research questions: (1) Does race significantly mediate the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and self-efficacy? (2) Does gender significantly mediate the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and self-efficacy? (3) Does resilience significantly mediate the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and self-efficacy? (4) Do interactions between race, gender, and resilience significantly moderate the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and self-efficacy? It was found that (1) race mediated the impact of racism on self-efficacy, such that African Americans had substantially lower self-efficacy in the face of high perceived racism; (2, 3, 4) gender, resilience, and a race-resilience interaction variable did not influence the relationship between racism and self-efficacy. These findings suggested the unique nature of racism-associated trauma in African Americans. This finding can be used to strengthen therapeutic approaches used with African Americans; and, better address this population&rsquo;s mental health needs. </p>

<p> The Female-To-Male (FTM) transgender community has begun to receive a lot of attention in recent years. Academic research executed with a focus on the experiences of the FTM community is also growing quickly and exploring issues and concepts beyond transition. The effect of social expectations on the leadership experiences of FTM leaders has yet to be examined, specifically the influence of the social expectations of masculinity and leadership on FTM leaders. This dissertation seeks to capture the experiences of 4 transgender men who hold, or have held, leadership roles in their organizations of employ and to inquire about how the social expectations about what it means to be a man, or how to appropriately behave to be perceived as a man, affects themselves as leaders as well as their leadership experiences. The work also elucidates a relationship between socially-imposed stereotypes on gender identity development as well as the importance of gender identity gaining recognition as a workplace well-being issue.</p>

<p> Male childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a traumatic experience that is prevalent, under-reported, and under-treated. CSA leaves males with feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and interpersonal problems, which put them at risk of developing mental health disorders that persist into adulthood. Although expressive arts therapy has been used as a treatment for trauma in children and adolescents, existing literature on the use of expressive arts with adult CSA survivors is limited to female survivors. The current study aims to explore the experiences of male CSA survivors who have participated in expressive arts therapy, including the effects that expressive arts has on their sense of self, relationships, and trauma symptoms. Participants (<i>N</i> = 8) were recruited from the Greater Los Angeles area, and included in the study if they were male CSA survivors and had previously been in expressive arts therapy. A mixed-methods approach was used, using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as the primary research approach, which generated emergent themes that were supported with concurrent measures, including the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 and a demographics measure. Results suggested that male survivors perceived expressive arts to be a positive experience and useful tool in the therapeutic process. The study provided exploratory findings on the use of expressive arts as a way for male survivors to release emotions, find their voice, rediscover their self, reconnect interpersonally with others, and facilitate a sense of empowerment. Results also suggested that male survivors perceive judgment and limited art modalities to be negative experiences in expressive arts therapy. Since the sample included primarily ethnic minority men, this study also provided contributions to the literature on the use of expressive arts with ethnic minority male survivors. Due to these findings, it is recommended that further research be conducted on the use of expressive arts with male survivors.</p><p>

<p> Despite the growing body of research on the health of transgender individuals, there is still a paucity of literature on the gynecological health care needs of transmasculine individuals. Specifically, no studies have examined whether the Minority Stress Model can help explain cervical cancer screening behaviors among this population. Thirty-two qualitative interviews were conducted with transmasculine individuals (age range = 21-56; 78% White) as part of a larger study examining barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening among transmen. Using thematic analysis, results demonstrate that participants experienced various distal stressors, including gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination within health care settings relevant to cervical cancer screening and in general. Participants used several coping and social support resources, including calming and relaxation techniques, individual avoidance of cervical cancer screening, and group-level coping mechanisms and support. Participants also discussed proximal stressors, including experiences of rejection and concealment, as well as health issues that affected their cervical cancer screening behaviors such as anxiety and physical abuse. Transmasculine people of color described their concerns related to provider competence around the intersection of transgender and racial/ethnic minority health issues, whereas several White transmasculine individuals discussed their perceptions of privilege when seeking gender-affirming health care. Higher socioeconomic status also often provided privileges when seeking health care. Analyses demonstrated the need for additional training for health care providers to address competency concerns around cervical cancer screening for transmasculine individuals, as well as changes in policies related to insurance coverage for gynecological services for this population.</p><p>

<p> This quantitative study examines how attachment and masculinity influence men in their participation in social groups and support or therapy groups as measured by the ECR-RS (Fraley, Brumbaugh, Heffernan, &amp; Vicary, 2011) and the MRNI-SF (Levant, Hall, &amp; Rankin, 2013). An online survey was given to 308 U.S. male adults asking questions about their attachment to their primary partner, their family of origin, social groups they participate in, support or therapy groups they participate in, and their endorsement of traditional masculine gender norms. The results from this study suggest the following: that men will have the same level of attachment to their family of origin as they do to both romantic dyadic relationships and to social groups they participate in, men are more securely attached the more they participate in groups, more traditionally masculine men are more drawn to competitive type social groups, more traditionally masculine men tend to have a more avoidant attachment to groups, and masculinity endorsement doesn&rsquo;t affect men&rsquo;s level of participation in groups. Keywords: men, attachment, masculinity, groups, gender, norms</p><p>

<p> Denhof et al. (2014) defined corrections fatigue as &ldquo;a collection of negative an inter-related consequences upon the health and functioning of corrections professionals and the workplace culture as a whole due to exposure to traumatic, operational, and organizational stressors and their interacting consequences&rdquo; (p. 5) resulting in socially dysfunctional ideology and negative changes in personality, health and functioning, resulting in an average age of mortality established at 59 years (Brower, 2013a, 2013b; Cheek, 1984). Group differences were examined utilizing multivariate statistical tests with archival data. Findings indicate that variables within the correctional environment (age, tenure, gender of staff, security level of the institution and perceptions of assaults and safety) influence the experience of corrections fatigue symptoms. Counselor, administration, and staff implications are discussed. </p><p>

<p> Risky sexual behavior (RSB; i.e., behavior that increases the risk of contracting an STI and/or unplanned pregnancy) is common on college campuses and poses serious health risks to students. Yet, little research has examined the factors impacting students&rsquo; engagement in RSB. The current study examined the role of gender and social media in college students&rsquo; peer norms of and intentions to engage in RSB. An experimental design was used in which participants were exposed to one of four conditions (i.e., neutral or RSB content, within and without a social media platform) and then asked to report on peer norms of RSB and their own intentions to engage in RSB. Results demonstrated that, contrary to hypotheses, there was no significant interaction between experimental condition and gender in predicting descriptive norms of risky sexual behavior and intentions to engage in risky sexual behavior. Result did, however, demonstrate a main effect of gender for peer norms of RSB; female participants reported significantly higher peer norms of RSB than male participants. No other statistically significant main effects were found. </p><p> Results emphasize the ubiquity of RSB among college students and the large discrepancy between students&rsquo; peer norms of RSB and actual behavior. The significant difference between female and male students&rsquo; perceptions of peers&rsquo; engagement in RSB is an important finding in the context of inconsistent previous research on gender differences in peer norms of RSB. Possible explanations for the non-significant findings in the current study are discussed as well as implications for prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing college students&rsquo; engagement in RSB.</p><p>

Prejudice against men may result in emotional distress, interpersonal conflict, and impairments in a man’s view-of-self. It can be a contributing factor for explaining increased substance use and suicide by men, as well as rates of violence against men. Awareness of the prejudices men may face allows clinicians to form better alliances with their clients by helping them understand the feelings and perspectives of men who experience various forms of prejudice. This dissertation begins with an overview of the general causes of prejudice and a summary of the mechanisms that maintain a prejudice’s social acceptability. It then provides a taxonomy of different forms of the prejudices men face, as well as the mechanisms that maintain the social acceptability of prejudice against men. Finally, it describes examples of prejudice against men, applying the taxonomy put forth in this dissertation.