"We Don't Talk About Feelings or Struggles Like That": White Men's Experiences of Eating Disorders in the Workplace

Masculine qualities are highly prized in the workplace, and men who deviate from these standards may experience personal and organizational backlash for their inability or unwillingness to perform masculinity. Additionally. those with mental health problems face complications managing their conditions at work due to organizational and interpersonal challenges. In the current study. we examine the intersection of masculinity and mental health in the workplace, focusing specifically on White men with eating disorders (EDs), who may experience (or perceive) compounded stigma, both for having a psychological disorder and for struggling with a mental health condition that is stereotyped as feminine. Although the experiences of individuals with EDs at work have been understudied in general, the experiences of working men with EDs are virtually nonexistent in the psychological literature. To fill this gap, 14 White men were interviewed about their experiences navigating their EDs at work. Participants faced unique challenges in managing their conditions while attempting to perform masculinity appropriately in the workplace. Through a thematic analysis of these interviews, four major emergent themes were identified: fear of stigma and (non)disclosure, emotional reactions, coping strategies, and impaired work performance. The vigilance required to both remain undetected as an individual coping with an ED combined with the pressure to perform masculinity at work made work life especially challenging for men afflicted with these conditions. Implications for organizations, clinicians, and men with EDs are discussed.