https://www.mdu.se/

The aim of this study is to examine how masculinity norms are related to male university and college student's attitudes toward professional help-seeking in Sweden. The background of the study is that previous research shows that ideals of independence, strength and emotional control may make it more difficult for men to seek support for psychological or emotional difficulties. The study is based on the theories of hegemonic masculinity and self-stigma.The study is based on a quantitative survey in which 72 respondents participated. The survey was conducted anonymously online, and the questions were inspired by the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI). The collected material was analyzed in SPSS through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and comparisons between groups.The results show that higher levels of internalized masculinity norms were associated with more negative attitudes toward professional help-seeking and greater resistance or hesitation toward seeking support. The same pattern appeared in a concrete scenario about contacting student health services. The study therefore shows possible relationships between masculinity norms and help-seeking, but the results should be interpreted with caution due to the sample, self-reported answers, and the low reliability of the IM index.