2015 Association for Women in Psychology Conference

As the number of women in the mental health professions has increased, so has the likelihood that men seeking therapy will be seen by women therapists (Johnson, 2005). Few studies have examined men’s therapist gender preferences or the impact of men’s adherence to traditional masculine ideology on their willingness to attend and engage in therapy with women therapists. This study explored the relationship between men’s adherence to traditional masculine norms, their attitudes toward therapy, and their perceived competency of a woman therapist. Using the Masculinity Attitudes, Stress and Conformity (MASC) Questionnaire (Nabavi & Green, 2004), 319 men reported attitudinal and behavioral conformity to traditional masculine norms, as well as the degree of stress they experienced from adhering to these norms. They also reported their attitudes toward seeking psychotherapy. Participants then watched a 10-minute vignette of a female therapist conducting therapy with a male client and evaluated the therapist’s competency. Results found the more that men endorsed traditional masculine norms, and reported that their behavior conformed to these norms, the less likely they were to rate women therapists as competent. However, the more they experienced stress about their adherence to masculine norms, the higher they rated their likelihood to seek therapy and consider women therapists competent. Clinical implications suggest men who adhere to traditional masculine norms are less likely to address mental health issues, because of their reluctance to seek help or work with women therapist. However, increased stress caused by adherence to these norms lessens this reluctance. Continuing to systemically address problems caused by strict norm adherence, and opening men up to alternative masculine norms, is essential for their well-being.