Counselling and Culture: The Influence of Masculinity and Cultural Identity on Mental Health Perceptions in South Asian Canadian Men
Counselling and Culture: The Influence of Masculinity and Cultural Identity on Mental Health Perceptions in South Asian Canadian Men
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Issue Date
2025-12
Authors
Dosanjh, Gavin
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Abstract
This psychology capstone reviews mental health experiences for the chosen demographic of South Asian Canadian men. This is done with a focus on cultural strengths and implications and theories of masculinity. The studies shared in this paper have a focus on emotional suppression, gender-related stigma, and intergenerational pressures around mental health. The three themes that are addressed in the literature review section of this capstone are cultural gender norms and expectations, media and gender stereotypes, and barriers to seeking mental health. Sub-themes include the subjectivity of masculinity, norms shaped in childhood, healthy masculinity, and cultural implications on mental health perspectives. These ideas are analyzed in relation to cultural competency and how counsellors may practice in a stance of cultural humility and understanding when working with diverse populations. The third chapter discussed key findings, such as how an individual's views of masculinity influences help-seeking behavior, culturally competency being a factor to increasing counselling engagement, and social media narratives influencing one's views of coping.
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Keywords
mental health , counselling , culture , psychology , South Asian , Canadian , culture , masculinity