Adolescent bullying, relationships, psychological well-being, and gender-atypical behavior: A gender diagnosticity approach

In this study we used a gender diagnostic (GD) approach to examine the associations between gender-atypical behavior and gender role ( masculinity-M and femininity-F), bullying, peer relationships, and psychological well-being in a large community sample of 15-year-olds. GD showed little relationship with gender role. Irrespective of sex, M was positively, and F negatively associated with being a bully. Gender atypical boys reported more victimization, more loneliness, fewer male friends, and greater distress than their gender typical peers. After accounting for M and F, femaleness (gender atypical boys and extremely gendertyped girls) was associated with psychological distress. GD is an effective and unobtrusive method to identify a group whose vulnerability should be recognized by psychology, health, and education professionals.