Alone and angry : what is the nature of the relationship between loneliness and sexism in men?

Abstract

Einmannaleiki er upplifun sem hefur áhrif á líkamlega og andlega heilsu, sem gerir einmannaleika að lýðheilsuvandamáli. Á undanförnum árum hefur orðið aukning á einhleypum og einmanna karlmönnum. Sumir þessara karlmanna sækjast í stuðning og félagsskap frá kvennhaturshóp sem kalla sig ‘incels’. Í kjölfarið hafa rannsóknir sýnt fram á tengsl milli einmannaleika og kvenhaturs meðal karlmanna. Samt sem áður hafa rannsakendur ekki almennilega kannað tengslin á milli einmannaleika og karlrembu. Þar af leiðandi var markmið þessarar rannsóknar að sjá hvort jákvæð fylgni væri á milli karlrembu og einmannaleika. Í heildina tóku 156 íslenskir, sískynja, karlmenn þátt í könnun á netinu. Könnunin innihélt íslenskaða útgáfu af UCLA Loneliness Scale (1996) og Ambivalend Sexism Inventory (1996) sem mæla einmannaleika og karlrembu. Engin marktæk fylgni fannst á milli einmannaleika og karlrembu, en aldur og fjandsamleg karlremba höfðu lágan, neikvæðan fylgnistuðul. Takmarkanir rannsóknarinnar eru meðal annars hentugleikaúrtak sem leiddi til einsleitts úrtaks, og að mögulega var mælitækið á karlrembu úrelt fyrir íslenskt samfélag í dag.

Loneliness is an experience that affects physical and mental well-being, making it a public health concern. In recent years there has been a rise in single, lonely, men. Some lonely men cope by seeking out support and community from a misogynistic hate group that call themselves ‘incels’. Subsequently, research has shown a connection between lonelinessand misogyny in men. However, researchers have not properly explored the connection between loneliness and sexism. Consequently, the aim of the current study was to see if there was a positive correlation between sexism and loneliness. A total of 156 Icelandic, cisgender, male participants were recruited to take part in a survey. The survey included the UCLA Loneliness Scale (1996) along with the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (1996) to measure loneliness and sexism respectively. Both scales were translated into Icelandic. No significantrelationship between loneliness and sexism was found, however age and hostile sexism had a small, negative, correlation. Limitations included a monolithic sample due to convenience sampling and the measure of sexism being outdated and out of touch with Icelandic society.Keywords: Loneliness, sexism, misogyny, Icelandic men