Exploring Interpersonal Curiosity’s Role As a Mediator Between Adolescents’ Adherence to Masculine Stereotypes and Friendship Quality

Using structural equation modeling, we explored relations among middle school students' (N = 460) adherence to masculine stereotypes, interpersonal curiosity, empathy, and friendship quality. Findings highlight interpersonal curiosity's potential role in buffering the negative effects of masculine stereotypes on adolescents' empathy levels and friendships.