Concurrent validity of the MMPI-2 feminine gender role (GF) and masculine gender role (GM) scales

Comparison of Masculine and Feminine Gender Roles in Iranian Patients with Gender Identity Disorder

Introduction

Gender identity disorders (GID) are heterogeneous disorders that may be influenced by culture and social norms.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine masculine and feminine gender roles in a group of Iranian patients with GID and compare these roles with two control groups.

Methods

Twelve male‐to‐female (MF) and 27 female‐to‐male (FM) individuals with GID referred to Tehran Psychiatric Institute in Tehran, I. R. Iran were evaluated by self‐report inventories and were compared with two groups of healthy controls (81 men and 89 women). Diagnoses were established based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM‐IV) criteria. Data analysis was done using analysis of variance and chi‐squared test.

Main Outcome Measures

Masculine and feminine gender roles were assessed by two questionnaires: (i) Gender‐Masculine (GM) and Gender‐Feminine (GF) scales derived from the Minnesota Multiphasic Inventory‐2 (MMPI‐2); (ii) Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI).

Results

In the scales of masculinity, MF‐GID individuals scored as male controls, but lower than female controls. FM‐GID individuals scored similar to female controls and higher than male controls. In femininity scales, MF‐GID individuals and control women seemed similar, and both scored higher than the other groups. FM‐GID persons were considered less feminine than both controls in the GF scale of MMPI‐2, but not in the BSRI. In both scales, FM‐GID persons had higher scores than control women and MF‐GID individuals.

Conclusion

Iranian FM‐GID individuals were less feminine than normal men. However, MF‐GID individuals were similar to normal women or more feminine. Cultural considerations remain to be investigated. Alavi K, Eftekhar M and Jalali Nadoushan AH. Comparison of masculine and feminine gender roles in Iranian patients with gender identity disorder. Sex Med 2015;3:261–268.

Empirical Investigations of the MMPI-2 Gender-Masculine and Gender-Feminine Scales 1Dr Matthew Woo, Principal Psychologist, is now at the Department of Psychology, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539 747

Abstract. The present study examined the validity of two Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) scales - Gender Masculine (GM) and Gender Feminine (GF) - in discriminating between the gender types - Masculine (High GM/Low GF); Feminine (Low GM/High GF); Androgynous (High GM/High GF) and Undifferentiated (Low GM/Low GF), in cross-national clinical samples. The study consisted of 70 Singaporean and 107 Australian psychiatric patients. Significant pairwise comparisons were found for Undifferentiated-Stereotyped Masculinity, Undifferentiated-Androgynous, Stereotyped Femininity-Stereotyped Masculinity, and Stereotyped Femininity-Androgynous on both measures of psychological well-being for both countries, but not for comparisons between the Stereotyped Masculinity-Androgynous and Undifferentiated-Stereotyped Femininity categories. Independent dimensions of masculinity and femininity - the GM and GF scales - were, therefore, found to distinguish between two of the four sex-type categories on measures of psychological well-being. The current findings indicate that the GM and GF scales seem effective in differentiating between Masculine and Feminine traits, however they seem less effective in differentiating between the four gender types.

Sex, Gender, and Neuropsychological Functioning in Schizophrenia

Sex and gender represent substantially different concepts. While there are consistent sex differences reported on selected neuropsychological tasks, there is no systematic literature on comparable gender differences. We examined sex and gender effects on seven domains of neuropsychological functioning among 197 schizophrenia/schizoaffective patients and 94 healthy individuals. We found main effects of sex on two neuropsychological domains, main effects of gender on five neuropsychological domains, and no interaction effects on any of the domains. Healthy individuals performed better than individuals with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. Executive functioning was unaffected by sex or gender, supporting its role as a behavioral marker of schizophrenia.

Reliability generalization: exploring reliability variations on MMPI/MMPI-2 validity scale scores

The study utilized the measurement meta-analytic method called "reliability generalization" to examine (a) the typical reliability, (b) the variability of score reliability, and (c) the factors predicting variability of score reliability on the three MMPI validity scales. Across studies the reliability coefficients on the three validity scales ranged from .16 to .93, with the F scale having the most variability, as might be expected. Regression analyses suggested that the age of participant best predicted the variation of reliability coefficients.

The MMPI-2 Gender-role scales as measures of sex-typing

The validity of the MMPI-2 Gender-role GM/GF scales as measures of sex-typing was examined relative to gender classification using the Personality Attributes Questionnaires. Although mean differences by sex were in the expected direction, the scales did not distinguish sex-typed, androgynous, and undifferentiated subjects. Correlations with the PAQ gender scales provided some support for the criterion validity of Gender-role GM scale for both men and women and the Gender-role GF scale for women.

A new perspective on gender orientation measurement with the MMPI-2: development of the Masculine-Feminine Pathology Scale

A new scale of gender orientation for the MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) called the Masculine-Feminine Pathology Scale, or Mfp, was developed as an alternative to the available Mf, GM, and GF scales. It differs from previous scales in its emphasis on symptomatic correlates of gender. Items were included in the new scale if they (a) discriminated between male and female psychiatric patients and (b) were likely to be indicators of psychopathology. Statistical analyses suggested an acceptably reliable but factorially complex scale. When used to predict clinician ratings of global psychopathology, the scale demonstrated incremental validity over both the existing gender-related scales and the traditional clinical scales. Scores at the "feminine" end of the Mfp scale seem to reflect distress characterized by high levels of anxiety. Scores at the "masculine" end of the Mfp scale suggest a more composed interpersonal presentation, which may reflect an amoral attitude. It is suggested that the new scale may prove superior to the existing gender role scales as a supplement to other clinical scales. Avenues for future research with the Mfp scale are discussed.