An investigation of masculinity attitudes, gender, and attitudes toward psychological help-seeking

Yousaf, O, Popat, A and Hunter, M.S (2015) 'An investigation of masculinity attitudes, gender, and attitudes toward psychological help-seeking.' Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 16 (2). 234 -237.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0036241

Abstract

Previous research on attitudes toward psychological help-seeking has shown that men are often reluctant to use psychological services. We investigated the relationships between subscription to traditional masculinity norms, gender, and help-seeking attitudes using the Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services (IASMHS) and the Male Role Norms Inventory (MRNI-R, which measures the extent to which one believes that men should think and behave according to traditional male norms) in a sample of 124 participants (51 females; 73 males). Men’s IASMHS scores were lower (i.e., less favorable attitudes to help-seeking) than women’s, whereas men scored higher on the MRNI-R (i.e., more positive attitudes to traditional male norms). A regression analysis revealed that men’s MRNI-R scores predicted their IASMHS scores; older participants scored higher on the IASMHS; and the effect of gender on the IASMHS was eliminated when MRNI-R scores were held constant. Our findings support the claim that men’s masculinity ideals are a significant barrier to their psychological help-seeking.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: mental health, help-seeking, men, masculinity, gender
Divisions: School of Sciences
UoA: Psychology
Date Deposited: 22 Sep 2017 16:27
Last Modified: 15 Aug 2021 09:47
ISSN: 1524-9220
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/10052
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