Perceiving Discrimination Against One’s Gender Group has Different Implications for Well-Being in Women and Men

• Published in: Personality & social psychology bulletin 2002-02, Vol.28 (2), p.197-210
• Main Authors: Schmitt, Michael T., Branscombe, Nyla R., Kobrynowicz, Diane, Owen, Susan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coping; Gender; Gender differences; Group identification; Perceptions; Sex Differences; Sex discrimination; Sex Role Identity; Sexism; Social psychology; Undergraduate Students; Well Being; Wellbeing
• ISSN: 0146-1672; 1552-7433
• DOI: 10.1177/0146167202282006

Using structural equation modeling, the authors tested theoretical predictions concerning the effects of perceived discrimination against one’s gender on psychological well-being in women and men. Results were highly supportive of the Rejection-Identification Model, with perceptions of discrimination harming psychological well-being among women but not among men. The results also support the Rejection-Identification Model’s prediction that women partially cope with the negative well-being consequences of perceived discrimination by increasing identification with women as a group. In contrast, perceived discrimination was unrelated to group identification among men. The authors found no support for the hypothesis that perceptions of discrimination have self-protective properties among the disadvantaged. Results are consistent with the contention that the differential effects of perceived discrimination among women and men are due to differences in the groups’ relative positions within the social structure.