The Role of Individual Characteristics and External Factors in Explaining Internalised Misogyny

Abstract

Internalised misogyny is a form of internalised sexism that refers to devaluing women, distrusting women, and valuing men over women. It occurs when women adopt sexist messages heard throughout their lives and direct them towards other women. The aim of this research was to examine the role of individual characteristics and environmental influences in explaining internalised misogyny. 530 women between 18 and 90 participated in the study. The sample was representative of the population of adult women in Croatia. The results showed that internalised misogyny has a low positive correlation with age, right-wing political orientation, religiosity, discrimination in the family and experienced gender microaggressions, and a somewhat higher correlation with right-wing authoritarianism. Low negative correlations with education, self-esteem and level of mastery were also obtained. Contrary to expectations, the size of the settlement and conservatism were not related to internalised misogyny. In the regression model, right-wing political orientation, higher level of right-wing authoritarianism, lower self-esteem, lower level of mastery and more frequent experience of gender microaggressions were significant predictors of internalised misogyny. The relationship between experienced gender microaggressions and internalised misogyny did not depend on the level of self- -esteem.