Abstract
The goal of the current study is to add to the literature on masculinity and mental well-being by examining the role of help-seeking self-stigma as a potential mediating mechanism linking conformity to masculine norms to depression and stress among men. Findings with a community sample of 326 U.S. men (aged 18–75 years old) revealed that greater endorsement of masculine norms was associated with greater help-seeking self-stigma. Additionally, help-seeking self-stigma significantly linked endorsement of masculinity norms to perceived stress, but not to depression. This study furthers our understanding of how gender roles may uniquely shape men’s mental health experiences through creating barriers to seeking treatment.
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Acknowledgements
The current study was supported by a grant to the first author from Arizona State University’s Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development, Graduate and Professional Student Association, and the Graduate College. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Alexis M. Mostoller, School of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University–West Campus, 4701 W Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, AZ 85306. Phone: (602) 543-5500; E-mail: ammostol@asu.edu; Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8770-1114
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This study was funded by a grant to the first author from Arizona State University’s Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development, Graduate and Professional Student Association, and the Graduate College
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design, and aided in material preparation, data collection and analysis. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Alexis M. Mostoller and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Mostoller, A.M., Mickelson, K.D. Masculinity and Mental Well-Being: The Role of Stigma Attached to Help-Seeking Among Men. Sex Roles 90, 353–362 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-024-01457-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-024-01457-2