Swiss Study Identifies 'M Factor' Attitude Cluster Among 20% of Men

A study led by researchers at the University of Zurich identified an attitude cluster called the “M factor,” defined as seeing “true masculinity” as under threat and linked to male supremacy, propensity for violence, misogyny, contempt for sexual minorities, and opposition to gender equality.

Denis Ribeaud, a criminologist and sociologist at the Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development at UZH who served as study leader, said the M factor reflects an attitude that sees true masculinity as under threat and is associated with notions of male supremacy, a propensity for violence, misogyny, contempt for sexual minorities and opposition to gender equality.

Researchers from the University of Zurich collaborated with Mencare, the umbrella organization of Swiss men’s and fathers’ groups, to conduct the survey.

The study collected responses from more than 6,000 people ages 16 to 64 across Switzerland and asked about masculinity, gender roles, sexuality, family life, relationships, and experiences with violence. Overall, 20% of men surveyed scored high on the M factor scale. ” Women consistently scored lower on restrictive and dominance-based views of masculinity across all age groups.

Men with lower levels of education, lower professional status, and lower incomes were more likely to score high on the M factor, while higher education and stronger career prospects were associated with lower scores. Men with high M factor scores were more likely to view authoritarian parenting and violence in child-rearing as acceptable.

They were also more likely to support traditional divisions of labor in relationships, with women handling most caregiving responsibilities.