To examine the relationship between sex-role orientation and coping ability in men with a managerial orientation, a demographic questionnaire, the Zeitlin Coping Inventory and the Bem Sex-role Inventory were completed by 169 adult males undertaking the Master of Business Administration (MBA) course at the University of Stellenbosch Graduate School of Business. No significant difference was found between the global coping abilities of subjects with androgynous and masculine sex-role orientations, although both androgynous and masculine subjects showed significantly better coping abilities than subjects with feminine or undifferentiated sex-role orientations. Regarding coping styles, androgynous subjects displayed a significantly more flexible style in coping with the environment than subjects with other sex-role orientations. No significant difference was found between androgynous and masculine subjects regarding flexibility in coping with the self. The conclusion was drawn that both androgyny and masculinity could serve as effective coping resources in men with a managerial orientation.
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