Man Enough: The Influence of Masculinity Scripts on Help-Seeking Behaviors among Men with Depression

Abstract

As men with depression have been found to be less likely than women to seek treatment for their illness, the aim of this research was to investigate the difficulties these men face in seeking help for their depression. In addition, this research looked at other potential sources of help, as most of the research in the field focuses on professional help. In the present study, the help-seeking behaviors of men were examined through societal gender scripts that are associated with hegemonic masculinity (Connell 2005). This research was conducted by using a qualitative method, through which six men with depression in their twenties were interviewed. By using thematic analysis, the men’s responses were then divided into themes and sub-themes. Four masculinity scripts that were important to the respondents were formed: appearance, dominance, provider/responsibility, and emotional strength/rationality. These scripts were then used to analyze men’s experiences with depression and help-seeking. Masculinity scripts were found to have a significant influence on all of the participants’ self-perception and help-seeking behavior. The most recurrent themes were emotional strength and being reliant on oneself instead of others. In addition, the need to appear a certain way, in particular strong, dominant and responsible, was important to most of the participants, which contradicted their ideas about help-seeking. The masculinity scripts therefore negatively affected the participants’ professional help-seeking behavior. Additional difficulties to seeking help were found, including doubts about the helpfulness of psychologists and symptoms of one’s depression. Other sources of help were addressed, which included friends, family, the Internet, and religion. Hegemonic masculine ideals further affected help-seeking from one’s social network, but the Internet and religion were found to be helpful. The implication of this research is that more awareness about the influence of hegemonic masculinity on men is needed, in particular among service providers. With this knowledge, they could better tailor to men’s needs and improve access to services.