Patterns of Masculinity Ideologies Among Chinese Adolescent Boys: A Latent Class Analysis

Researchers have long recognized the multiplicity of masculinity ideologies. While rigid masculinity, particularly in domains of stereotypical male roles, homophobia, and male dominance, is associated with maladjustment, inclusive masculinities have been found conducive to individual well-being. Yet little is known about how this multiplicity manifests in non-Western contexts, such as in China, where Confucianism, filial piety, and conservative gender discourse intersect. Based on the gender role strain paradigm (GRSP), this study aimed to identify patterns of masculinity ideologies among 1680 Chinese adolescent boys (M_age = 15.03) using latent class analysis and examine their associations with depression, fighting, and homophobic teasing. We found three classes: (1) moderately egalitarian, low lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) acceptance class (53.88%), characterized by moderate endorsement of stereotypical roles, low intimate partner violence (IPV) justification, and very low LGB acceptance; (2) egalitarian class (26.49%), characterized by low endorsement of stereotypical roles, low IPV justification, and high LGB acceptance; (3) rigid class (19.63%), characterized by greatest endorsement of stereotypical roles, high IPV justification, and low LGB acceptance. Adolescents in the rigid class had higher levels of depression and fighting than the other classes and more homophobic teasing than the egalitarian class. Overall, despite the presence of egalitarian masculinity, most boys had low LGB acceptance or rigid masculinity, indicating the continuing impact of traditional gender norms. Varying behavioral and psychological outcomes across classes align with the GRSP framework. Differential associations across the more rigid classes suggest the need for nuanced gender-transformative interventions.