EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG CONFORMITY TO MASCULINE NORMS, MUTUALITY, AND SEXUAL BEHAVIORS IN GAY, BISEXUAL, AND QUEER MEN'S SAME-GENDER FRIENDSHIPS

Abstract

This study explored the relationships among conformity to masculine role norms, sexual behavior, and mutuality in gay, bisexual, and queer men's same-gender friendships. Participants included 215 adult men. Participants completed a demographics form, a Friendship Information form, the Mutual Psychological Development Questionnaire (MPDQ), and the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI). A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using Ward's method and produced three clusters that were named Non-Conformity, Independent-Promiscuous, and Highly Conforming. The next phase of analysis involved performing a two-step hierarchical multiple regression. Participant age and friendship duration were entered at step one and clusters were entered at step two. The regression indicated that the full model predicted significant variance in mutuality scores. The Non-Conformity cluster emerged as a statistically significant individual predictor of mutuality. An ancillary hierarchical multiple regression was then performed. Participant age and friendship duration were again entered at step one, and individual CMNI subscales were entered at step two. The full ancillary regression model also significantly predicted mutuality scores. Only the Emotional Control, Power Over Women, and Disdain for Homosexuality CMNI subscales emerged as significant individual predictors of variance in mutuality. The final phase of analysis examined whether history of sexual contact with a best friend produced differences in mutuality scores. An independent samples t-test was conducted and confirmed that significant differences in mutuality existed between those endorsing history of sexual contact and those who did not, with those reporting no contact having higher mutuality scores. The present findings suggest that overall non-conformity to masculinity was predictive of greater mutuality in friendships. The implications of GBQ men's (non)conformity to masculinity norms and considerations for counseling with GBQ men are discussed.