Psychometric validation of the Malay CMNI-30: A study among male healthcare professionals in Malaysia

Masculinity norms significantly influence men's health behaviors and outcomes, yet existing instruments to measure these norms often lack cultural adaptability. This study addresses this gap by validating the Malay version of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI-30) to assess masculinity norms among Malay men. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 438 male healthcare professionals in Malaysia. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) revealed that the final model, consisting of 26 items across multiple factors, demonstrated strong fit indices (χ²/df = 1.72, CFI = 0.931, TLI = 0.911, RMSEA = 0.042, SRMR = 0.052). However, certain factors, such as 'self-reliance' (Raykov's rho = 0.270) and 'violence' (Raykov's rho = 0.431), exhibited lower reliability, reflecting cultural nuances in their interpretation. The study concludes that the Malay CMNI-30 is a valid and culturally relevant tool for assessing masculinity norms in this context. Practical applications include using this tool to identify gender-related barriers to health-seeking behaviors and inform gender-sensitive public health interventions. Future research should validate this instrument across diverse populations to enhance its generalizability and utility.