(PS7-D99) The Impact of Toxic Masculinity on Internal Wellbeing & Community Perspectives of Intimate Partner Violence

Introduction: Ideologies of masculinity have been associated with negative coping mechanisms and poor mental health outcomes (Kaiser et al., 2020). Little is known about the influence of masculinity on post-traumatic stress symptoms, maladaptive coping, and views of intimate partner violence (IPV). The construct of "toxic masculinity" has been used to explain male violence, but validity has not been confirmed (Corvo & Golding, 2022) nor has it been used to determine the impact engagement in such roles may have on an individual’s mental health. Accepting these explanations without sufficient evidence may influence public perception and policy framing of violent crime (Corvo & Golding, 2022). There is a need to better understand the ways in which engagement in toxic masculinity may influence internal wellbeing and impacts on the community, such as addressing stigma and the efficacy of spearheading interventions in combating IPV. As such, this study looks at how levels of toxic masculinity may impact the presence of PTS symptoms, coping frequency, and levels of belief in IPV myths.

Methods: Data was collected through participation in an online survey that included scales such as the Domestic Violence Myth Acceptance Scale, the Masculinity Contingency Scale, the PTSS, the Brief COPE and questions about the participant’s demographic identity. Data was collected from 2022-2023, and 231 responses were collected. The average age was 34.5 years (SD = 9.687). 95.7% identified as white, 0.4% as black, 0.4% as Native American or Alaska Native, 1.7% as Asian, and 1.5% as Other. 16% of participants identified as being of a Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. 55.4% of participants identified as a man, 43.7% as a woman. 8.2% of respondents identified as transgender. Data analyses included a cross-correlational analysis.

Results: Of the 231 responses collected, 130 participants identified as male. There was a significant positive correlation between levels of masculinity and belief in IPV myths (a = .840, p < .001), PTS symptoms (a = .415, p < .001), and the reported frequency of all coping mechanisms including denial (.525, p < .001), behavioral disengagement (.561, p < .001), and substance use (.382, p < .001). anticipate respondents will have higher levels of belief in IPV myths, PTS symptoms, and frequency of use coping mechanisms as they rely more heavily on ideals of toxic masculinity to create their sense of self.

Implications: A potential limitation is findings will indicate a correlational relationship rather than causal. Most participants were white so results may not be consistent in a cross-cultural context. Findings showed as participants relied more on masculinity, the more likely they were to believe in IPV myths and have poorer mental health (identified through the presence of PTS symptoms and frequency of coping). Results help us determine the impact toxic masculinity has on stigma surrounding IPV and how it may function as a risk factor for mental health. We can build on this to further inform how to design and implement interventions for at-risk male populations, thereby working to re-shape community perspectives to better support individuals and their wellbeing.