Authors : Jahnvi Shrivastava

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/mdrmckpt

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/rsy7v39j

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr1849

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : While modern social environments often imply an absence of patriarchal constraints, young adult women continue to report internal psychological barriers to self-worth. This study examined the impact of Internalized Misogyny and Gender Role Attitudes on the Self-Esteem of young adult women in the Indian sociocultural context. Using a quantitative, crosssectional design, data were collected from 203 women (ages 18–30) through the Internalized Misogyny Scale (IMS), the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (AWS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were employed to test the hypotheses. Results indicated a significant strong negative correlation between Internalized Misogyny and Self-Esteem (rs = -0.63, p < .001) and a significant moderate negative correlation between Gender Role Attitudes and Self-Esteem (rs = -0.43, p < .001). The multiple regression model was statistically significant, F (2, 200) = 42.15, p < .001, (R 2 = .408), revealing that Internalized Misogyny is a more potent unique predictor of Self-Esteem than general Gender Role Attitudes. These findings suggest that the "patriarchy inside the head" significantly impairs identity consolidation during young adulthood. The study highlights the need for psychological interventions that target internalized sexist beliefs to foster genuine empowerment and mental well-being among Indian women.

Keywords : Internalized Misogyny, Gender Role Attitudes, Self-Esteem, Young Adulthood, Indian Women, Feminist Psychology.

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