Toxic Masculinity Unmasked: A Critical Examination of Toxic Masculinity’s Negative Consequences Among College Men

• In Event: Navigating Racialized and Gendered Spaces: Critical Insights on Race and Gender in Higher Education

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between toxic masculinity and the negative experiences of male college students, with a focus on how this relationship varies by racial identity. Utilizing the newly developed 28-item Toxic Masculinity Scale, 1,746 college men from diverse racial backgrounds were assessed. Findings indicate that toxic masculinity significantly predicts higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and lower life satisfaction across all racial groups, with the strongest endorsement of toxic masculinity observed in Black men. These results highlight the importance of addressing toxic masculinity in postsecondary educational contexts to improve mental health and academic outcomes. The study calls for targeted interventions to reduce toxic masculinity, which may enhance educational experiences and outcomes for men in college.

Authors

• Claudia Garcia, Oregon State University

• Steven M. Sanders, Oregon State University

• Gianna Comoglio, Oregon State University

• Kiera Lynn Robinson, Oregon State University