The mediator role of existential anxieties in the relationship between perceived threat to manhood and life satisfaction

Unlike femininity, masculinity has a structure that needs to be achieved and constantly proved. Masculinity is seen as a 'superior' status and it is necessary to go through various stages to achieve this status. Masculinity is a difficult status to gain, but it is just as easy to lose. In the context of the precarious manhood theory; masculinity is more fragile than femininity because it is hard to gain and easy to lose and requires constant proof, and therefore men's threat perceptions towards their gender are higher. Since the role of 'masculinity' can become a part of the self, the purpose and meaning of existence for an adult male, it is thought that the perceived threat to manhood may trigger existential anxieties and reduce life satisfaction. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of existential anxieties in the relationship between perceived threat to masculinity and life satisfaction in young adult men. The sample of this study consisted of 250 people between the ages of 20 and 40 who identified their gender as male. Demographic Information Form, Precarious Manhood Scale, Existential Anxiety Scale and Life Satisfaction Scale were used in the study. In order to test the hypotheses of the study, Simple Mediation Variable Analysis (Model 4) was applied using Hayes PROCESS analysis programme. The findings of the study revealed that the perceived high threat to masculinity in young adult males may lead to a decrease in life satisfaction through existential anxieties. The findings are discussed in the light of the academic literature and recommendations for both research and practice are presented for researchers and mental health professionals. Keywords: Perceived threat to manhood, precarious manhood theory, existential anxiety, life satisfaction, young adulthood.