Can the Theory of Planned Behavior Help Explain Men's Psychological Help-Seeking? Evidence for a Mediation Effect and Clinical Implications

Prior findings show that men as a group seek psychological help at relatively low rates. The current study sought to provide preliminary evidence that Ajzen's (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior can integrate prior research findings and help explain men's psychological help-seeking by testing a mediation model among a young adult sample. Structural equation modeling was utilized to investigate the impact of traditional masculinity ideology and attitudes toward psychological help-seeking on men's intention to seek psychological help. Results (N = 307) provided support for a mediation effect of attitudes toward psychological help-seeking on the relationship between traditional masculinity ideology and psychological help-seeking intentions, chi(2) (1, N = 306) = 1.56, p = .21, standardized root-mean-square residual = .022, Comparative Fit Index = .997, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation Index = .043. Together, the predictors accounted for 29.6% of the variance in men's psychological help-seeking intentions. Study findings integrate and build upon prior research and highlight recommendations for developing interventions to facilitate help-seeking among traditionally masculine men. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the Theory of Planned Behavior may be a promising model to help understand men's psychological help-seeking.