Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
Hegemonic masculinity and mental health: a qualitative study of 10 cisgender gay men’s experiences in South Africa
Mini Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
Saved in:
| Other Authors: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Pretoria
2026
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1869483795939328000 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Visagie, Elne |
| author_browse | Visagie, Elne |
| author_facet | Visagie, Elne |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107448 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:04:41.125Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107448 Hegemonic masculinity and mental health: a qualitative study of 10 cisgender gay men’s experiences in South Africa Visagie, Elne dylantshuketana@gmail.com Martin, Jarred Tshuketana, Tshegofatso Dylan UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Hegemonic masculinity Mental health Cisgender Sexuality Gay men Mini Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2025. Hegemonic masculinity refers to a type of masculinity that achieves a position of social dominance among other masculinities, through what becomes normative values and practices amongst boys and men about what it means to be a ‘man’ in a society. This research explores the experiences and perspectives of South African cisgender gay men on what they understand hegemonic masculinity to be and what influence it may have on their mental health. The sample included 10 South African cisgender gay men. Data was collected using Semi-structured interviews. Using a thematic data analysis method, the following themes emerged: (1) A social understanding of being a man; (2) Ostracization: The experience of not belonging; and (3) Pillars of coping and resilience. Most participants understood masculinity to be a classification of how men should be. This included being dominant in a social setting, being stoic, and for some, being heterosexual. Most participants described their experiences with masculinity in society as discriminating towards them as gay men because of their sexuality. This has often led to feelings of internalised homophobia, where participants have questioned whether they are normal for being gay, and ultimately hating themselves for being gay. In dealing with these challenges, participants describe that building or joining a community of individuals who are gay, and cisgender has helped them a lot. Another aspect was reaching out for professional help. This has ultimately improved their mental health. Further research on resilience and acceptance techniques for sexual and gender diverse individuals may be impactful to this course. Psychology MA (Counselling Psychology) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-05: Gender equality 2026-01-21T12:13:34Z 2026-01-21T12:13:34Z 2026-05-21 2025-08-14 Mini Dissertation http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107448 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.31069840 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Hegemonic masculinity Mental health Cisgender Sexuality Gay men Hegemonic masculinity and mental health: a qualitative study of 10 cisgender gay men’s experiences in South Africa |
| title | Hegemonic masculinity and mental health: a qualitative study of 10 cisgender gay men’s experiences in South Africa |
| title_full | Hegemonic masculinity and mental health: a qualitative study of 10 cisgender gay men’s experiences in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Hegemonic masculinity and mental health: a qualitative study of 10 cisgender gay men’s experiences in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hegemonic masculinity and mental health: a qualitative study of 10 cisgender gay men’s experiences in South Africa |
| title_short | Hegemonic masculinity and mental health: a qualitative study of 10 cisgender gay men’s experiences in South Africa |
| title_sort | hegemonic masculinity and mental health a qualitative study of 10 cisgender gay men s experiences in south africa |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Hegemonic masculinity Mental health Cisgender Sexuality Gay men |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107448 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.31069840 |