Predictors of men's psychotherapy preferences

Aim The current study examined men's perceptions and preferences for four types of psychotherapy. Method Men (N = 315) were recruited by Qualtrics panels to complete a survey that included vignettes describing therapeutic orientations. Results Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that gender role socialisation, self-stigma and attitudes about professional psychological help negatively predicted willingness to engage in psychodynamic, person-centred, cognitive behavioural and positive psychology positive masculinity therapy. Furthermore, men in the study preferred positive psychology positive masculinity therapy to cognitive behavioural therapy. Conclusion Given the role of gender role socialisation, self-stigma and fear of femininity in the development of barriers to men's help-seeking, the present study provides support for "man friendly" therapeutic orientations such as the positive psychology positive masculinity model. Implications for clinical practice and future directions for research are discussed.