Conformity to Masculine Norms and Academic Entitlement: Alexithymia and Empathy as Serial Mediators

Kantar A., Kök M., Bakir A.

GENDER ISSUES, vol.43, no.1, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 43 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s12147-026-09406-x
  • Journal Name: GENDER ISSUES
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, ABI/INFORM, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Gender Studies Database, Index Islamicus, Psycinfo, Religion and Philosophy Collection, Violence & Abuse Abstracts, Social Sciences Abstracts
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Academic entitlement refers to students' expectations of obtaining maximum academic success while exerting minimal effort to fulfill the requirements of the learning environment. Although the research on academic entitlement among tertiary-level students has increased recently, the underlying mechanisms remain inadvertently unexplored. In this study, we specifically examine the serial mediating roles of alexithymia and empathy in the relationship between academic entitlement and conformity to masculine norms. To this end, we collected data from male university students (n = 283) aged 18-49 (M = 22.58, SD = 4.45). The results indicate that higher academic entitlement is associated with adherence to masculinity norms, increased alexithymia, and decreased empathy. In addition, the relationship between academic entitlement and conformity to masculine norms was mediated by alexithymia and empathy. This study underscores the importance of enhancing emotional literacy among male students as a critical strategy in mitigating tendencies related to academic entitlement.