- Title
- Exploring cultural context and masculine ideals: implications for male mental health help-seeking in South Africa
- Creator
- Bux, Shezadia
- Subject
- Mental health counseling
- Subject
- Masculinity -- South Africa
- Subject
- Men -- Mental health
- Date Issued
- 2024-04
- Date
- 2024-04
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69604
- Identifier
- vital:77961
- Description
- The pervasive underdiagnosis and undertreatment of mental health issues among males, exacerbated by societal expectations of masculinity, represent a significant public health concern. This study addresses the critical gap in understanding how sociocultural constructs of masculinity influence mental health help-seeking behaviours among males in South Africa, a context marked by high rates of crime, violence, substance abuse, and male suicides. Adopting a qualitative research approach, this study conducted in-depth interviews with 12 participants, employing convenience and snowball sampling techniques to achieve data saturation. Thematic analysis was utilised to systematically identify and interpret patterns of meaning within the data, focusing on participants' understandings of mental health, the impact of sociocultural constructions of masculinity on their help-seeking behaviours, and the barriers they encounter. The findings illuminate the profound impact of sociocultural constructs of masculinity on male mental health help-seeking behaviours, revealing significant barriers rooted in societal stigma, traditional masculinity norms, and a lack of tailored mental health services. The study also introduces a conceptual model illustrating the influences on mental health acknowledgement and help-seeking behaviour among males in South Africa, underscored by a reflective analysis of exploring male emotional well-being. This study highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health care interventions that address the unique challenges faced by men in South African communities. By challenging societal norms and advocating for improved mental health awareness and services tailored to men, this research contributes to the broader discourse on gender, mental health, and social change, offering insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners aiming to enhance male mental health outcomes.
- Description
- Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Science, School of School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (144 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
- Hits: 4
- Visitors: 6
- Downloads: 2
Collections
NMU School of Behavioural Sciences
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | BUX S April 2024.pdf | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |