The mediating role of interpersonal curiosity in the association between adolescents' adherence to masculine stereotypes and perceived friendship quality

While prior research has found that adolescents who adhere more strongly to masculine stereotypes (i.e., emotional stoicism, autonomy, and physical toughness) in their friendships tend to report lower quality friendships, the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. Emerging theory suggests that adherence to such masculine stereotypes may be associated with reduced interpersonal curiosity, which could, in turn, relate to lower perceived friendship quality. This analysis investigates the mediating role of interpersonal curiosity in the association between adherence to masculine stereotypes and perceived friendship quality among a sample of 414 6th-9th graders in seven public schools across New York City (49.5% girls; 60.3% 7th-grade students). Results from structural equation modeling indicated a significant mediating effect of interpersonal curiosity in the association between adherence to masculine stereotypes and perceived friendship quality. A moderated mediation analysis indicated the mediation of interpersonal curiosity held only for the boys. Implications for theory and research are discussed.