Linking Gender-Role Conflict to Nonnormative and Self- Stigmatizing Perceptions of Alcohol Abuse and Depression

The aim of this study was to test the theoretical assumption that individuals adhering to proscriptive masculine roles may be more likely to have negative perceptions of mental health problems, which may lower their likelihood of help seeking (M. E. Addis & J. R. Mahalik, 2003). Participants were 120 undergraduate students who completed measures assessing negative perceptions (nonnormativeness and self-stigma) of alcohol abuse and depression and adherence to proscriptive gender roles. Both men and women who endorsed experiences and beliefs associated with proscriptive masculine gender roles were more likely to perceive problems negatively. Alcohol abuse was seen as more self-stigmatizing than depression, but no mean differences emerged in perceptions of normativeness. Findings have implications for the development of gendersensitive interventions aimed at facilitating help seeking.