Abstract

The research aimed to examine the link between masculine gender norms and public mental health stigma among unemployed individuals at Pook Arboretum, Barangay UP Campus, Quezon City. Specifically, it determined the demographic variables of the participants, their compliance with masculine norms such as restricted emotionality, restricted affectionate behavior between men, and success, power, and competition, as well as their level of public mental health stigma. The study utilized a quantitative descriptive-correlational research design with forty-seven (47) unemployed men as participants. Questionnaires were used to gather data, and the results were analyzed using frequency distribution, weighted mean, and Pearson correlation. The analysis revealed that individuals aged 23 to 25 years comprised 40% of the total respondents, and most had no prior exposure to mental health education. The findings showed that the participants exhibited restricted emotionality (= 3.81) and low affectionate male expressions (= 3.27), while their attitudes toward success, power, and competition were moderately neutral (= 3.64). Statistical analysis further revealed that all aspects of masculine norms were significantly and positively correlated with public mental health stigma. Conformity to traditional masculine ideals was associated with increased levels of stigma toward mental health concerns. The study concluded that traditional masculinity played a significant role in reinforcing public mental health stigma among unemployed men. It emphasized the need for gender-sensitive mental health programs to reduce stigma and promote emotional expression and help-seeking behavior. The study concluded that traditional masculinity played a significant role in reinforcing public mental health stigma among unemployed men. It emphasized the need for gender-sensitive mental health programs to reduce stigma and promote emotional expression and help-seeking behavior.