Authors : Anushka Batra; Piyush Sharma

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/23sdmfuj

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4kmewdkc

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar1789

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Aim: This study aimed to explore how masculinity, emotional expression, and help-seeking behaviour are related among adult men.  Introduction: Drawing from sociocultural perspectives, the study looks at how expectations around being “masculine” may influence whether men seek psychological help and how openly they express their emotions.  Method: A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. A total of 110 men aged 20 to 40 years were selected through purposive convenience sampling. Data were collected using standardised self-report tools, including the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ), Emotional Expressivity Scale (EES), and Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory–22 (CMNI22). Statistical analysis was carried out using Jamovi, applying descriptive statistics along with Pearson’s r and Spearman’s rho correlations.  Results: The findings showed no statistically significant relationships between masculinity, emotional expressivity, and helpseeking behaviour. However, a small positive trend was observed between emotional expression and help-seeking, though it was not significant.  Discussion: These results suggest masculinity may not always prevent men from expressing emotions or seeking help in today’s rapidly changing social contexts.

Keywords : Adult Males, Gender Norms, Emotional Expressivity, Help-Seeking Behaviour, Masculinity, and Mental Health.

References :

1. Addis, M. E., & Mahalik, J. R. (2003). Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking. American Psychologist, 58(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.58.1.5
2. Courtenay, W. H. (2000). Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men’s well-being: A theory of gender and health. Social Science & Medicine, 50(10), 1385–1401. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(99)00390-1
3. Kring, A. M., Smith, D. A., & Neale, J. M. (1994). Individual differences in dispositional expressiveness: Development and validation of the Emotional Expressivity Scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 66(5), 934–949. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.66.5.934
4. Mahalik, J. R., Locke, B. D., Ludlow, L. H., Diemer, M. A., Scott, R. P. J., Gottfried, M., & Freitas, G. (2003). Development of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 4(1), 3–25. https://doi.org/10.1037/1524-9220.4.1.3
5. Mahalik, J. R., Burns, S. M., & Syzdek, M. (2007). Masculinity and perceived normative health behaviors as predictors of men’s health behaviors. Social Science & Medicine, 64(11), 2201–2209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.02.035
6. Seidler, Z. E., Dawes, A. J., Rice, S. M., Oliffe, J. L., & Dhillon, H. M. (2016). The role of masculinity in men’s help-seeking for depression: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 49, 106–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.09.002
7. Vogel, D. L., Wade, N. G., & Hackler, A. H. (2011). Perceived public stigma and the willingness to seek counseling: The mediating roles of self-stigma and attitudes toward counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(3), 368–377. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023513
8. Wilson, C. J., Deane, F. P., Ciarrochi, J., & Rickwood, D. (2005). Measuring help-seeking intentions: Properties of the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 15–28.
9. Rickwood, D., Deane, F. P., Wilson, C. J., & Ciarrochi, J. (2005). Young people’s help-seeking for mental health problems. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 4(3), 218–251.
10. Addis, M. E., & Hoffman, E. (2021). Masculinity and help-seeking in men: A review of current research and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 37, 103–107.
11. Thakur, D., & Jain, N. (2020). Mental health awareness and help-seeking behaviour among young adults in India. Indian Journal of Psychological Studies, 12(2), 45–60.

12. Kumar, A., & Kumar, P. (2019). Role of gender norms in mental health and help-seeking behaviour in India. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 65(3), 198–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764019827982