Men at the crossroads: A profile analysis of hypermasculinity in emerging adulthood

The purpose of this study is twofold: to evaluate the factor structure of the Auburn Differential Masculinity Index (ADMI-60) and to investigate the varied adoption of hypermasculine attitudes within a sample of 328 collegiate males (M = 19.50, SD = 1.53). Factor analytic procedures were used to determine a factor structure that provided the best fit for the data. Four dimensions emerged: dominance & aggression, sexual identity, anti-femininity, and devaluation of emotion. Cluster analytic methods were used to determine a profile structure. These clusters were compared across variables associated with the construct: hostility toward women, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. Results indicate that a four-cluster solution was robust and well fitting, with each cluster having a unique adoption of the dimensions, Extreme Hypermasculine, Traditional Masculine, Traditional Hypermasculine, Non-Hypermasculine. Results of the study suggest hypermasculinity is not an all-or-none construct, but males can endorse varied levels, which may lead to diverse outcomes.