Conformity to Masculinity, Alexithymia, and Disclosure of Distress among Indian Men

Abstract This cross-sectional study explores the interaction of conformity to masculine norms, alexithymia, and disclosure of psychological distress in Indian men ( N = 305, 18–60 years). The findings indicated a significant moderate positive relationship between conformity to traditional masculinity and alexithymia ( r = 0.299, P < 0.001), with regression analyses indicating conformity to these norms as a significant predictor of difficulties in identifying and expressing emotions (β = −0.4006, P < 0.001). Negative correlation was evident between masculine norms and distress disclosure ( r = −0.580, P < 0.001), with alexithymia adding further to the nondisclosure of emotions ( r = −0.271, P < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed alexithymia as a partial mediator, explaining a small but significant proportion of variance in relationship between masculinity and reduced distress disclosure (indirect effect = −0.0233, P = 0.041). This study contributes: (1) scientific evidence of association between adherence to masculine norms and alexithymia and nondisclosure of distress, (2) affirmation of alexithymia’s intermediary role in the masculinity and disclosure distress pathway, and (3) a model for culturally appropriate interventions challenging adherence to traditional masculinity while facilitating emotional literacy to enhance mental well-being of men in India. These findings underscore the importance of adapting tailor-made mental health practices to dismantle systemic barriers in collectivistic cultures to enable men to express distress without compromising cultural identity.