Mental Health, Men's

Abstract

Abstract Very little research examines men's mental health specifically, though there is extensive research on gender differences in mental health. Most studies find that men and women have similar rates of disorder but experience different types of mental illnesses. Women have higher rates of internalizing disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) while men typically display externalizing symptoms (e.g., violence, substance abuse). It is unclear whether these trends reflect true gender differences or measurement bias instead, because scholars have less adequately tapped men's experiences. In this entry we review literature that helps explain men's mental health, including research on gender roles, help‐seeking, coping, and social support. We then outline literature assessing the potential role of measurement bias. Future research should move beyond gender comparisons and focus specifically on men's lived experiences (including heterogeneity among men), in addition to testing the possibility that men's depression and anxiety may be masked by substance abuse and violence.