Masculinity and Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Normative Male Alexithymia.

The study of psychology of men and masculinity received scientific attention through a more recent focus on its connection with the expression of emotions in men. There had been a long held proposition regarding the conformity to stereotypic masculine beliefs among men and its effect on their mental health. Therefore, the present study was designed to explore the impact of masculinity and normative male alexithymia (NMA) on the mental health of men from Pakistani origin. Assessment measures included a demographic form, the Masculine Behavior Scale (MBS), the Normative Male Alexithymia Scale (NMAS), and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI). The sample comprised of young (20-30 years) men (n=325), who were recruited, using purposive sampling, from different tertiary education institutions from an urban area in Pakistan (Lahore). Results suggested that masculinity was directly associated with NMA and psychological distress while being inversely associated with psychological wellbeing. Furthermore, NMA was found to be a significant positive mediator between masculinity and psychological distress and a significant negative mediator between masculinity and psychological wellbeing. The findings suggest that men with stereotypic masculine beliefs have a higher risk of developing mental health problems and that decreasing emotional expression may exacerbate the risk. These findings have direct relevance for further research on men's mental health and for clinical practice aimed at assisting men with different mental health issues, particularly from Eastern or subcontinent origin.