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. 2025 Jun 4;13(1):605.
doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02934-3.

Effects of masculine culture on the mental health of Northern Sotho male youth

Ntsobe Tshepo Hope Mogano  1 , Daniel Lesiba Letsoalo  2 , Choja Akpovire Oduaran  1
Affiliations

Effects of masculine culture on the mental health of Northern Sotho male youth

Ntsobe Tshepo Hope Mogano et al. BMC Psychol. .

Abstract

Background: Mental health challenges have become a pressing public health concern in recent years, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting a notable prevalence of such difficulties in Africa. Within the region, the contributing factors to this conundrum include inadequate infrastructure, severe underfunding and a strong adherence to masculine culture. However, there is a lack of studies exploring the effects of masculine culture on the mental health of males, particularly Black African males.

Objective: The current study aimed to explore the effects of masculine culture on the mental health of Northern Sotho male youth.

Methods: The study was grounded in a qualitative research approach, an interpretive research paradigm and an exploratory research design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample. Data was collected through individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis through the lens of gender role conflict theory. RESULTS: The findings revealed that the participants' understanding of masculine culture was centred on the intersectionality of social processes and cultural ideologies. Furthermore, the study revealed that Northern Sotho male youth value masculine ethos; however, this can have negative consequences as failure to meet these expectations may lead to gender role conflict (GRC) and consequently mental health difficulties. Additionally, the study also discovered that in trying to cope with the mental health difficulties, maladaptive mechanisms were adopted. Future studies should include Black male youth from other ethnic groups for a more comprehensive understanding and tracking of the long-term intersectional trajectory of masculine culture and mental health difficulties among men.

Conclusion: The current study provided valuable insight regarding the effects of masculine culture on the mental health of Northern Sotho male youth and underscored the need for culturally sensitive, context-specific awareness campaigns, and targeted interventions to raise awareness and help educate males on the long-term negative implications that masculine culture may have on their mental health.

Keywords: Cultural practices; Exploratory; Gender norms; Hegemonic masculinity; Male youth; Masculine culture; Mental health; Qualitative.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Before participating in the study, the researchers provided each participant with an information leaflet that explained what the study was about. After this, the participants were provided with a consent form, which they had to read and sign as an indication that they voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. All the questions that the participants raised were answered honestly by the researchers, and all the important ethical aspects were fully explained to the participants. Participants were also informed that should they feel uncomfortable at any stage, they had the right to withdraw without any consequences. Ethical approval was obtained from the North-West University Health Research Ethics Committee (NWU-HREC) with the ethics number NWU-00009–23-A1. The study was conducted in accordance with the South African National Department of Health Research Ethics Guidelines and the Declaration of Helsinki. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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