Date of Graduation

5-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Psychology (MA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Psychological Science

Advisor/Mentor

Lindsay S. Ham

Committee Member

Ana J. Bridges

Second Committee Member

Scott Eidelman

Keywords

Social sciences, Psychology, Alcohol, Drinking motives, Gender role orientation

Abstract

Alcohol misuse is an important public health concern as it is related to an elevated probability of experiencing a number of negative life events. Historically, alcohol consumption patterns seemed to differ according to sex, but more recent research suggests that the difference has narrowed as gender role orientations have converged. Further, it seems that gender role orientation more reliably predicts differences in patterns of use than biological sex. The goal of this two-part study was to investigate the relation of gender role orientation and alcohol use behaviors with the expectation that masculine gender role orientation would be associated with these behaviors and related motives for use. Results obtained through structural equation modeling techniques suggest a unique relationship between gender role orientation and alcohol consumption behaviors that may function through a consumption motives pathway. It seems that individuals who endorse low levels of gender role typed characteristics consume alcohol at increased rates and that coping motives may mediate this relationship.

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