Date of Award
2009
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
This study examined the relationships among three variables: masculine ideology, religious orientation, and closeness in the closest cross-sex relationships of a male college student population. A behavioral measure of closeness was used to unearth other potential avenues than self-disclosure for demonstrating closeness in relationships, as well as examining how beliefs about being a man and one's religious beliefs may contribute or hinder closeness in these relationships. Analyses included an examination of a mediating and moderating model for predicting closeness in men's cross-sex relationships. Participants for this study included 332 male college students from two mid-size Midwestern universities. Participants completed online measures of male role norms endorsement (MRNI-49), religious orientation (I/E-R), and behavioral closeness (RCI) in their relationship with the closest female individual in their life. A preliminary ANOVA showed that romantic relationships were significantly closer in self-reported behaviors, so the romantic relationship group ( N = 132) was used to test the models. Due to low correlations between behavioral closeness subscales and violation of regression assumptions, frequency of interaction and strength of influence their romantic partner had on the relationship were used as the dependent variables in the mediating and moderating analyses. The significance of change in R 2 was used to test moderation and an indirect mediating effect was used to test mediation. Results from 8 models (mediation or moderation X intrinsic or extrinsic X frequency of interaction or strength of influence) did not reveal mediating or moderating effects of religious orientation on the relationship between masculine ideology and behavioral closeness. Two significant regression equations revealed male role norms predicted extrinsic religious orientation and intrinsic religious orientation predicted strength of influence the female partner had on their relationship. Potential factors limiting the use of religious orientation as a moderator or mediator in the analysis and implications for counselingPsychology are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Buhr, Keith Karl, "The Effect Of Religious Orientation On The Relationship Between Masculine Ideology And Closeness" (2009). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1280.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1280