Having a negative perception of masculinity is linked to worse mental health, study finds

Article here. Excerpt:

'Holding the view that masculinity negatively impacts one’s behavior is associated with lower mental well-being, according to a new study of more than 4,000 men. The findings shed light on the relationship between societal perceptions of masculinity and individual mental health, challenging previous notions that masculine attitudes are inherently harmful or detrimental. The study was published in the International Journal of Health Sciences.

For decades, masculinity has been a topic of both public and academic debate. Historically, traits like being active, dominant, and self-contained were synonymous with masculinity. However, from the 1980s, there was a notable shift. Masculinity began to be viewed through a more critical lens, often associated with negative traits like misogyny and homophobia, and linked to issues such as poor mental health and aggressive behavior.

This transition was partly fueled by sociological theories, leading to what some call a “deficit model” of masculinity – focusing primarily on its negative aspects. But how accurate is this negative portrayal, and what impact does it have on men’s mental health? This was the central question guiding the researchers in this extensive study.'