Discrepancy stress

Discrepancy stress is a form of gender role stress that arises when individuals fear negative social consequences for not conforming to traditional gender roles and societal expectations. This stress is particularly studied in men who perceive themselves as failing to meet masculine norms, which can lead to psychological distress, lower self-esteem, and a greater risk of negative health and behavioral outcomes.

What it is

Gender role stress: Discrepancy stress is a specific type of stress that results from the perceived gap between an individual’s actions or identity and society’s expectations for their gender.
Fear of judgment: It stems from the fear of being perceived as “gender discrepant” or not living up to the ideals of masculinity or femininity promoted by society.
Examples: A man might experience discrepancy stress if he feels he isn’t tough enough, or a woman if she feels she isn’t feminine enough.

Potential consequences

Negative health behaviors: It can lead to fewer positive health-related behaviors, such as proactive safety measures, healthy social relationships, and stress management.
Mental health: Higher discrepancy stress is associated with more negative mental health experiences.
Increased risk behaviors: Research suggests a link between discrepancy stress and an increased risk of perpetrating intimate partner violence (IPV).
Emotion regulation difficulties: For some, the distress from discrepancy stress may be linked to difficulties in managing emotions, which can in turn be a factor in the perpetration of violence.

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[4] https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(15)00067-1/abstract

[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6426366/

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