Toxic masculinity linked to emotional restriction in men
Toxic masculinity doesn't directly stop men from seeking help but encourages emotional restriction, which in turn reduces help-seeking behavior.
Why it matters
- Toxic masculinity indirectly lowers help-seeking behavior by encouraging men to bottle up emotions.
- Men remain underrepresented in mental health treatment settings despite higher suicide risks.
- Findings may inform efforts to improve mental health service access for men.
By the numbers
- Study 1: 220 participants (66 men, 152 women, 2 other genders).
- Study 2: 264 adult male participants.
- Strong association between toxic masculinity and restrictive emotionality.
The big picture
- Toxic masculinity fosters emotional restriction, which reduces help-seeking behavior.
- Men high in toxic masculinity were less likely to seek help from friends or partners but more willing to turn to religious leaders.
- Changing public discourse around masculinity may benefit men's mental health.
What they're saying
- Some men report being discouraged from showing emotions regardless of their level of toxic masculinity.
- Skepticism about the term "indirectly" used in the study.
- Criticism of the term "toxic masculinity" and its implications.
Caveats
- Cross-sectional study; cannot determine cause-and-effect relationships.
- Findings may not generalize to other cultural contexts outside the UK.
What’s next
- Interventions could focus on reducing emotional restriction.
- Longitudinal studies needed to establish causality.