Gender and Psychological Well-Being

• Main Authors: M. Pilar Matud, Marisela López-Curbelo, Demelza Fortes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: psychological well-being; gender; masculinity; femininity; occupation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/19/3531

<i>Background</i>: Research has consistently reported gender differences in mental health, but studies on differences in psychological well-being between women and men have not yielded conclusive results. The aim of this study was to examine the relevance of gender to the psychological well-being of adult individuals. A cross-sectional study with a sample of 1700 men and 1700 women from the general Spanish population was conducted. Their ages ranged from 21 to 64 years, and they were assessed with Ryff&#8217;s Psychological Well-Being Scales and the Bem Sex Role Inventory. <i>Results</i>: Men scored higher than women in self-acceptance and autonomy, and women scored higher than men in personal growth and positive relations with others. The most relevant variable in the psychological well-being of both women and men was high masculinity. Other relevant variables in women&#8217;s well-being were high femininity, not having a manual occupation, not being homemakers, and professional occupation. Men&#180;s well-being also was higher in professional men and in men with a skilled non-manual occupation, men with high femininity and men who were not single, divorced or widowed. <i>Conclusions</i>: Adherence to traditional gender roles is relevant to the psychological well-being of women and men, and women and men whose self-concept includes both masculine-instrumental and feminine-expressive characteristics have greater well-being.