Men’s preferences for therapist gender: Predictors and impact on satisfaction with therapy

ABSTRACT

Little empirical data exists regarding men’s preferences for therapist gender, including what predicts these preferences, and the impact they may have on satisfaction with care. To address this, data were drawn from an online survey of Australian men (n = 2002; aged 16–85; M = 43.8 years) reflecting on their preferences for and experiences of mental health treatment. Participants responded to items assessing demographics alongside their preference for therapist gender, reason for this preference and items on masculinity and treatment satisfaction, which were entered into a predictive model. Findings indicated that the majority (60.5%) of respondents did not indicate a preference, while equal proportions preferred male (19.1%) and female therapists (20.4%). Undergraduate-educated, non-heterosexual, and more masculine-identifying men were all more likely to prefer a male therapist. Severely depressed men preferred a female therapist. Finally, seeing a therapist who matched one’s gender preference was a significant predictor of satisfaction with therapy, while feeling less manly in attending therapy mediated this relationship. While the majority of men reported no gender preference for their therapist, for those who do, the underpinnings and implications warrant consideration and discussion. Limitations and clinical and research implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Men’s mental health
• help-seeking
• masculinity
• client preferences
• gender
• satisfaction with therapy

Acknowledgments

The Authors wish to thank all participants for their contribution to this project.

Disclosure statement

The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Movember.

Notes on contributors

Zac E. Seidler

ZAC E. SEIDLER received his PhD from the University of Sydney, Australia. He currently works as a research fellow with Orygen, at The University of Melbourne, and as the Director of Mental Health Training at Movember. His areas of professional interest include depression and anxiety in men, LGBTIQIA+ issues, addiction, and relationship issues.

Michael J. Wilson

MICHAEL J. WILSON is a research assistant with Orygen at The University of Melbourne. His research interests include psychotherapeutic engagement and social determinants of mental ill-health among men, and mental health inequities among LGBTQIA+ populations.

David Kealy

DAVID KEALY received his PhD from the University of British Columbia. He is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia and a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar. His research interests include psychotherapy and mental ill-health among men and young adults.

John L. Oliffe

JOHN L. OLIFFE received his PhD from Deakin University. He is currently a professor and associate director research at the School of Nursing, University of British Columbia. Founder and lead investigator of UBC Men’s Health Research program, his work focuses on masculinities, men’s health behaviours and illness management.

John S. Ogrodniczuk

JOHN S. OGRODNICZUK received his PhD from the University of Alberta. He is currently the director of the Psychotherapy Program in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of British Columbia. His research has involved a variety of psychotherapies and patient populations, commonly with a focus on men’s mental health.

Simon M. Rice

SIMON M. RICE received his PhD from the Australian Catholic University. He works as a clinical psychologist and senior research fellow with Orygen, at The University of Melbourne. He has as a joint clinical and research interest in men’s mental health (including the assessment of depression, anger, and risk-taking behaviours).