Navigating Masculinity and Help-Seeking Amid a Shifting Culture: Lived Experiences of College-Aged Men

Abstract

Despite numerous studies suggesting that psychological treatments are equally efficacious for men and women, many men continue to exhibit reluctance toward seeking treatment for their psychological concerns. Numerous explanations have been offered in attempts to understand why this phenomenon occurs. Recent findings suggest that some men have difficulties engaging with specific elements of psychological treatment (Johnson et al., 2012), such as opening up and engaging in a trusting and therapeutic relationship with a stranger. Men’s discomfort regarding psychological services manifests in feelings of uncertainty and hesitation toward treatment (Good & Robertson, 2010). This significant gender disparity in mental health services utilization persists despite mental illness severity. There is a plethora of quantitative studies regarding men’s help-seeking behaviors, however, qualitative investigations into this phenomenon remain scarce. Using a qualitative phenomenological case study, Assadi et al. (2021) examined the attitudes, perceptions, and lived experiences of 12 male college students to uncover barriers and facilitators to mental health service utilization. Findings highlighted the role of gender socialization in shaping emotional expression, the stigma associated with vulnerability, and strategies men use—such as avoidance, compartmentalization, and masking—to protect their masculine identity. While the findings highlight the persistence of traditional gender norms, they also reveal a shifting landscape, with younger generations expressing a growing openness toward emotional well-being and mental health support. The study underscores the importance of aligning interventions with male values, reframing help-seeking as an act of strength rather than weakness.