Connecting Australian Masculinities and Culture to Mental Health: Men’s Perspectives and Experiences

Abstract

Masculinities and culture are intertwined and have significant implications for men’s mental health. This study aimed to explore influences of Australian masculinities and culture on men’s mental health. Five focus groups were conducted with men ( N = 43) living in New South Wales, Australia. Three overarching themes were identified; (1) A history of strength and self-reliance: taketh as we are, she’ll be right, (2) Social and geographical divides: surrounded by men but never actually connecting, and (3) Male socialisation and generational dissidence: not getting the wisdom from the men that have gone before me. Participants’ perspectives and experiences offer a reference point and lens for understanding challenges and enhancing efforts to promote Australian men’s mental health. Gender transformative program strategies are proposed to promote men’s mental health and norm help-seeking.

Australian Men’s Help-Seeking Pathways for Anxiety

“…Indeed, prior qualitative research with Australian men has documented how masculinities and culture can be intertwined in their impact on mental health (Sharp et al, 2023). The mental health of Australian men living in regional communities can also be uniquely impacted by the cultural contexts that permeates regional communities (Bonell et al, 2023).…”

‘It's all about rapport’: Australian therapists' recommendations for engaging adolescent males in counselling and psychotherapy

“…Therapists' perspectives in qualitative research aid in identifying therapist factors and therapeutic approaches that facilitate or impede psychological treatment (Campbell & Simmonds, 2011; Ryan et al., 2021). Although a multicultural nation comparative to other Western nations, Australia maintains unique idealised hegemonic masculinities characterised by self‐reliance, durability and nonchalant attitudes that are expected of males, both individually and as a group (Sharp et al., 2023). In part, adherence to these idealised Australian masculinities may both contribute to the reticence of some young men to engage in psychotherapy and influence how Australian therapists relate to and approach counselling with this population.…”