Do you have the 'M factor'? Scientists warn of emerging syndrome linked to violence and misogyny - and say 20% of men have it

You've heard of The X Factor...but what about the M factor?

Scientists are using this name to describe an emerging syndrome linked to violence and misogyny. 

'The M factor reflects an attitude that sees "true masculinity" as under threat,' explained study leader Dr Denis Ribeaud, from the University of Zurich. 

'It is associated with notions of male supremacy, a propensity for violence, misogyny, contempt for sexual minorities and opposition to gender equality. 

'Our data show that all these views are closely linked and can be traced back to a common underlying attitude.'

While the syndrome sounds extreme, the experts say that the M factor is surprisingly common. 

According to a survey of over 6,000 people, 20 per cent of men and seven per cent of women have high M factor scores. 

The syndrome is particularly common among young men, with almost one in three males aged 18–24 affected. 

For the study, the researchers set out to understand what masculinity really means to people.

The team enlisted more than 6,000 participants aged 18 to 64 from across Switzerland.

These participants were surveyed about their attitudes toward masculinity and gender, and how these attitudes relate to views on family, relationships, sexuality and experiences of violence.

Overall, the results revealed that 20 per cent of men and seven per cent of women have high M factor scores. 

However, several factors beyond gender appear to influence your susceptibility.

Men with a low level of education, low professional status, and low income were more likely to have the M–factor. 

'The reverse is also true: The higher a person's level of education and the better their prospects in life, the lower their M–factor score,' the researchers explained. 

Family roles and domestic violence were also found to influence the M factor score. 

Participants scored higher if they followed more 'traditional' family roles, in which the women performed the majority of care work, while men were the breadwinners.

In addition, high M factor scores were associated with an increased likelihood of perpetrating or experiencing intimate partner violence.

'The M factor is a consistent for intimate partner violence – in terms of perpetrating and experiencing it, and across both sexes: Men and women with high M–factor scores are more likely to report having committed but also experienced violence in their relationships,' Dr Ribeaud said. 

'This is not contradictory. Those who see male supremacy, contempt for women and controlling behavior as normal are at greater risk of being on both sides of this dynamic.'

Finally, men with high M factor scores are more likely to report identifying as an incel, consuming hardcore pornography and using sexual services.

Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for better education around masculinity and gender roles in schools. 

'The key prevention message is that there is not just one "right" form of masculinity,' says co–author Markus Theunert.

'Masculinity is malleable. You can be a boy and become a man in any number of ways.'

The study comes shortly after research revealed that boys as young as 11 are being exposed to misogyny online.

The poll of 500 teenage boys aged 11–14 found that 73 per cent have seen misogynistic or harmful content online – on average within 18 minutes of logging on.

'Our latest findings show that young boys are still being exposed to misogynistic and harmful content almost as soon as they go online, driven by algorithms designed to keep them scrolling,' Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer for VodafoneThree, who commissioned the survey, said.