Workplace determinants of mental health disorders in men: a narrative review of risk and protective factors

Men’s mental health in the workplace is a significant public health and occupational concern shaped by the interaction of organizational conditions, psychosocial stressors, and gendered social norms. This review examines how workplace environments influence men’s psychological well-being by identifying key risk and protective factors and exploring the role of masculine norms, such as stoicism and self-reliance, in shaping help-seeking behaviors and mental health disclosure. A comprehensive search of biomedical, psychological, and organizational literature was conducted and supplemented with policy reports from international bodies including the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The findings indicate that men working in high-demand and male-dominated occupations experience elevated levels of depression, anxiety, burnout, and suicidal ideation. Major risk factors include job insecurity, excessive workload, long working hours, exposure to hazardous conditions, and workplace discrimination. In contrast, protective factors include strong social support, job flexibility, fair management practices, and supportive leadership. Masculine role norms were consistently found to hinder early help-seeking and contribute to the underreporting of psychological distress. Gender-sensitive workplace interventions, including peer support, leadership engagement, and psychosocial risk assessment, can improve mental health outcomes and reduce stigma. Improving men’s mental health requires organizational and policy reforms that normalize help-seeking and embed psychological well-being within occupational health frameworks.

Men’s mental health; Mental health disorders; Workplace determinants; Occupational stress; Male workers; Occupational health; Depression; Anxiety; Protective factors; Risk factors

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