Sex Differences in Loneliness: The Role of Masculinity and Femininity

The present study assessed the magnitude of sexdifferences in loneliness after accounting for theinfluence of two covariates: masculinity and femininity.The 256 participants (principally White, somewhat affluent, and middle-class university students)completed both the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Bem SexRole Inventory. Whereas sex differences were originallynonsignificant (males tended to be lonelier than females), this difference was significantafter accounting for masculinity (not femininity)embedded in participants' loneliness scores. Similarresults emerged when the covariates were partialled out of both loneliness (criterion) and sex(predictor). These findings support the hypothesis thatmales appear reluctant to admit feelings of loneliness.Male reluctance to personally admit social deficits such as loneliness is suggested for futureresearch.