(PS3-A7) A Potential Depression Correlate: Exploring the Impact of Gender Role Nonconformity on Depression Symptoms

Background: Uncertainty remains about the psychological implications of gender role nonconformity (GRNC), defined as men endorsing or performing femininity and women endorsing or performing masculinity. Previous studies have indicated that variance in gender presentation is associated with negative mental health outcomes. Homophobic stigmatization and internalized homophobia partially mediate this association, suggesting it is not GRNC itself that causes distress, but perceived reactions to it. Here, we test the hypothesis that people reporting higher levels of GRNC experience increased symptoms of depression.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Nathan Kline Institute Rockland Sample. 797 subjects (age=48.4 ± 17.7, sex=66% female) completed the Sex Role Identity Scale (SRIS) and the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-40). GRNC and several subtypes were quantified by SRIS questions—behavioral GRNC (B-GRNC) was assessed using the question “How feminine/masculine do you act or behave?,” subjective GRNC (S-GRNC) was assessed using the question “How feminine/masculine do you think you are?,” and perceived GRNC (P-GRNC) was assessed with “How feminine/masculine do you think you appear and come across to others?” A composite variable including all three subtypes was created to assess overall GRNC. Depression was measured with the relevant TSC-40 subscale. We performed correlational analyses and sex-specific stepwise linear regressions to explore the relationships between GRNC and its subtypes and depression.

Results: For male subjects (n=269), depressive symptoms were significantly positively correlated with GRNC (r= 0.218**), B-GRNC (r= 0.199**), S-GRNC (r= 0.187**), and P-GRNC (r= 0.197**). For female subjects (n=528), depressive symptoms were significantly positively correlated with GRNC (r= 0.098*), B-GRNC (r= 0.138**), and P-GRNC (r= 0.096*). In the regression analyses, only B-GRNC predicted depressive symptoms for both male [F(1, 267)=10.979, p=0.001, adj. R²=0.036] and female [F(1, 525)=5.596, p=0.018, adj. R²=0.027] subjects. 

Conclusion: GRNC and many of its subtypes are significantly associated with depressive symptoms. While limited, these results have clinical significance; practitioners should be aware that patients experiencing and exhibiting GRNC may need additional support. Given the tremendous and complex impact of depression, research should further explore the relationship between GRNC and depression to inform and enhance interventions and treatments.

**Correlation is significant at the 0.01 alpha level (2-tailed).

*Correlation is significant at the 0.05 alpha level (2-tailed).