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Sexist men are more prone to depression, negative body image issues, substance abuse, and other mental health problems. This is because men's desire to be superior and in control hinders them to seek help for fear of being perceived as weak.

Sexism is defined as discriminating or stereotyping on the basis of gender, which is why sexist men enforce their will or power over women perceiving them as inferior. President-elect Donald Trump has been widely criticized for his sexist comments, calling women "dog," "ugly" or a "slob."

Research has discovered that sexist attitudes are linked to mental health problems as submitted in the Journal of Counseling Psychology. Lead author, Joel Wong, associate professor at the Indiana University Bloomington stresses that sexist attitudes are not only "a social injustice, but may also have a detrimental effect on the mental health" of men who conform to such values, The Independent reported.

The researchers analyzed the data of 20,000 men and collated the meta-analysis into 18 studies. The majority of the subjects were white males, 12 to 65 years old and are straight heterosexuals. There is also a focus group for Asian Americans and African Americans.

The study discovered that there are 11 masculine norms that are prevalent, namely, a desire to win, to have emotional control, taking risks, violence, superiority, sexual promiscuity (playboy lifestyle), self-reliance, importance of work, power over women, contempt for homosexuality, and status-seeking as reported by The Star.

Three of these norms, self-reliance, "playboy" attitude and power over women stood out as closely related to depression, body image issues, stress, substance abuse, and unfavorable social functioning. The explanation points to the fact that fewer men seek help and treatment for fear of being seen as weak.

Toxic masculinity where men are allowed or even encouraged to discriminate against women is also disrupting the well-being of society in general, not just men. Domestic violence is committed by those with strong and toxic masculine norms. However, like many types of behaviors, Wong believed that these can be altered towards a more positive end.