# The GAB-A: Development and Validation of the Gender Stereotypes and Roles Adherence Battery for Adolescents

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new tool to assess gender stereotypes in adolescents, revealing significant gender differences in attitudes and their psychological impacts.

## Contribution

The paper presents the GAB-A, a validated battery for measuring gender stereotypes in adolescents, including a novel 'Relational Control' factor.

## Key findings

- Males endorsed prescriptive gender roles and stereotypes significantly more than females.
- Endorsement of stereotypes predicted higher distress and hostility in males but not in females.
- The GAB-A includes a new 'Relational Control' factor related to partner surveillance beliefs.

## Abstract

Validated instruments assessing gender stereotype endorsement among adolescents are scarce and often overlook contemporary domains like digital privacy. To address this gap, this study developed and validated the Gender Stereotypes and Roles Adherence Battery for Adolescents (GAB-A) in a sample of 2955 Italian adolescents attending public secondary schools in Rome (56.4% male; mean age 14.3 years). The battery comprises three modules: the Gender Stereotyped Attitude Scale (GSAS), Gender Role Activities Scale (GRAS), and Gendered Traits Inventory (GTI). Psychometric analysis confirmed robust factor structures, notably identifying a distinct “Relational Control” factor within the GSAS that assesses beliefs normalizing partner surveillance. The results revealed a stark pattern of gender differentiation: males endorsed prescriptive attitudes (GSAS, d = 1.07) and roles (GRAS, d = 0.88) substantially more than females, particularly regarding violence myths. Conversely, essentialist trait beliefs (GTI) showed negligible gender differences (d = 0.11). Associations between stereotypes and psychological health were gender-moderated; within-group analyses indicated that endorsement predicted higher distress, hostility, and alexithymia in males, while being unrelated to well-being in females. Finally, gender-stratified normative data and operational cut-offs were established. The GAB-A provides a psychometrically sound tool for identifying elevated endorsement profiles and evaluating violence prevention interventions.