Sex-role stereotyping in mental health standards in Israel

Investigated sex-role stereotyping in mental health standards in Israel in a sample of 60 nonclients, 60 clients and 60 psychotherapists. Recent studies of sex-role stereotypes in America have shown that males still maintain traditional stereotypes and perceive the healthy adult female as more stereotypically feminine than either the healthy male or adult. Women, however, have changed their traditional perceptions toward female mental health and now rate the healthy adult female as similar to the healthy adult male and the healthy adult. In contrast to the recent American findings, female therapists in the Israeli study viewed the healthy female as significantly more stereotypically feminine than the healthy male. Male therapists were more equalitarian in their ratings and surprisingly rated the healthy male as significantly more feminine than did female therapists. These findings are discussed in terms of cross-cultural differences. Congruency of client-therapist sex-linked mental health standards also are examined and the implications for the therapeutic process discussed.