Masculinity and Seeking Psychological Help: A Review Based on Social Identity Theory

Abstract

To improve their quality of life and mental health, people need psychological help. Past research revealed that although participants reported low levels of life satisfaction, they were hesitant to seek psychological help. In the literature, this situation has been defined as mental health treatment gap. In this context, research focuses on reducing the treatment gap by identifying factors that facilitate and hinder seeking psychological help. Many studies consistently report that men are more reluctant to seek psychological help than women. Therefore, there is a need for a more detailed examination of the factors that affect men's reluctance to seek psychological help. Based on this fact, the study's primary purpose is to provide enlightening information about why men avoid seeking psychological help and the factors that encourage them to seek help. In this study, masculinity's role in seeking help is emphasized in the context of Social Identity Theory. However, past research findings on situations and contexts in which men are willing to seek psychological help are presented. Practitioners and researchers in the mental health field, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and psychological counselors, can learn a lot from the review's opinions on the role of traditional masculine norms in seeking psychological help.

Keywords

• masculinity
• psychological help-seeking
• social identity theory