Explaining Psychological Distress among Men in the Helping Professions: A Serial Mediation Model

Men in the helping professions face many challenges, including stressors related to the nature of the work itself and work environments typically considered “feminine”, which may be related to psychological distress. The current study used a serial-parallel mediation model to explore whether selected work-related indices are associated with psychological distress among men in the helping professions. Specifically, the model examined the role of self-reported empathy (the ability to feel or act empathetically towards clients), self-efficacy, and job satisfaction, in the association between burnout and psychological distress. Structured questionnaires were administered to a sample of 343 male nurses and social workers in Israel. The results indicated a significant mediating effect of empathy in the relationship between self-defined burnout and psychological distress. Additionally, a mediating effect of self-efficacy was detected in the association between self-defined burnout and psychological distress. Furthermore, a significant indirect effect of self-defined burnout on psychological distress was sequentially mediated by self-efficacy and job satisfaction. These results are highly relevant for reducing psychological distress among men in the helping professions, considering their specific needs and characteristics. IMPLICATIONS A serial-parallel mediation model can help examine the role of empathy, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction in the association between burnout and psychological distress among men in the helping professions. Raising awareness of the challenges men face when working in the helping professions and of barriers to their own help-seeking may help reduce the consequences of burnout among this population, locally and internationally.