Study shows that 'Sexist' men, playboys more likely at risk to have mental health issues

A new study has revealed that men who behave like promiscuous playboys or feel powerful over women are more likely to have mental health problems than men with less sexist attitudes.

Links between sexist behaviour and mental health issues such as depression and substance abuse were found in the study.

According to lead author of the study, Joel Wong, an associate professor of counselling psychology at Indiana University Bloomington; 

"Some of these sexist masculine norms, like being a playboy and power over women, aren't just a social injustice but they are also potentially bad for your mental health."

The research combined and made use of results of more than 70 US-based studies involving more than 19,000 men over 11 years period.

Wong said, this involved looking at 11 norms generally considered by experts to reflect society's expectations of traditional masculinity including a desire to win, risk-taking and pursuit of status.

The traits, or norms, commonly closely linked to mental health problems were playboy behaviour, or sexual promiscuity, power over women and self-reliance, he said.

"Men who have trouble asking for directions when they're lost, that's a classic example of self-reliance," Wong said.

The study also revealed that men who exhibited those attitudes were also less likely to seek mental health treatment.

Wong said the primacy of work was not significantly associated with any of the mental health-related outcomes.

"Perhaps this is a reflection of the complexity of work and its implications for well-being," he said.

"An excessive focus on work can be harmful to one's health and interpersonal relationships, but work is also a source of meaning for many individuals."

The study which appeared in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.

Ellen Wulfhorst: Reuters.