Hispanic Masculinity: Myth or Psychological Schema Meriting Clinical Consideration

Abstract

Given the significant upsurge in research on White males of European origin that documents a relationship between the construct of male gender identity (i.e., machismo) and physical and mental health, there is a clinical need to study and understand this construct and its relationship to health across diverse racial/ethnic groups, including, but not limited to, Hispanics. To help develop such understanding, this article first directs attention to a psychologically based gender schema theory that in the past 2 decades has received quite a bit of attention from researchers studying gender identity within the White majority populace. In focusing on this theory, the intention is to demonstrate how it can be used to provide a solid theoretical basefor clinical work with men whose social, mental, and physical well-being is negatively affected by their staunch adherence to a rigid traditional male gender identity. Specific recommendations that both researchers and clinical practitioners might take into consideration vis-a-vis this construct in their respective work are presented.