2021, Volume 1, Issue 1

Too masculine for healthcare, too feminine for intense sports: correlation between gender conformity and pro-health behaviours



Aleksandra Pawłowska1, Kornelia Lipowska2, Daniel Krokosz1

1Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport
2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam


Author for correspondence: Daniel Krokosz; Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport; email: daniel.krokosz@awf.gda.pl


DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.1.04

Full text

Abstract

Background: The goal of this paper is to examine to what extent levels of femininity and masculinity are associated with practicing several types of health behaviours among individuals who are physically active and inactive.

Material/Methods: A total of 559 individuals aged between 35 and 45 (M = 39.4; SD = 3.2) took part in the study. The inactive group consisted of 211 individuals (n = 85 women, n = 126 men), and the active group consisted of 348 individuals (n = 131 women, n = 217 men). The participants completed the following pen-and-paper questionnaires: the Psychological Gender Inventory, the Health Behaviours Inventory, and the Inventory of Physical Activity Objectives.

Results: Physical activity and androgynous psychological gender were shown to be associated with the levels of health behaviours in men and women. Among men, femininity turned out to be a factor protective against hegemonic masculinity, while among women it was observed that it is mainly masculinity that correlates with health behaviours. Physical activity was associated with a better psychological attitude.

Conclusion: It is possible to treat physical activity as a protective factor against decreased mood and an aid in coping with decreased mood. Society and culture should encourage the development of femininity and masculinity from the earliest years. Future research on masculinity and femininity and pro-health behaviours should be aimed at looking for ways to promote physical activity among undifferentiated individuals.


Key words: physical activity, pro-health behaviours, femininity, masculinity, gender


Cite this article as:

AMA:

Pawłowska A, Lipowska K, Krokosz D. Too masculine for healthcare, too feminine for intense sports: correlation between gender conformity and pro-health behaviours. Balt J Health Phys Activ. 2021;1:29-41. doi:10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.1.04

APA:

Pawłowska, A.., Lipowska, K., & Krokosz, D.. (2021). Too masculine for healthcare, too feminine for intense sports: correlation between gender conformity and pro-health behaviours. Balt J Health Phys Activ, 1, 29-41. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.1.04

Chicago:

Pawłowska, Aleksandra , Lipowska Kornelia, Krokosz Daniel . 2021. "Too masculine for healthcare, too feminine for intense sports: correlation between gender conformity and pro-health behaviours". Balt J Health Phys Activ 1: 29-41. doi:10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.1.04

Harvard:

Pawłowska, A.., Lipowska, K., and Krokosz, D.. (2021). Too masculine for healthcare, too feminine for intense sports: correlation between gender conformity and pro-health behaviours. Balt J Health Phys Activ, 1, pp.29-41. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.1.04

MLA:

Pawłowska, Aleksandra et al. "Too masculine for healthcare, too feminine for intense sports: correlation between gender conformity and pro-health behaviours." Balt J Health Phys Activ, vol. 1, 2021, pp. 29-41. doi:10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.1.04

Vancouver:

Pawłowska A, Lipowska K, Krokosz D. Too masculine for healthcare, too feminine for intense sports: correlation between gender conformity and pro-health behaviours. Balt J Health Phys Activ 2021; 1: 29-41. Available from: doi:10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.1.04