Men who worry they're not macho are more prone to violence and aggression

Men who fear they're not 'macho' enough may be more prone to violent behaviour, according to a new study.

Researchers found that men who feel that they aren't perceived as 'manly' are more likely to resort to violence than men who are confident in themselves and their masculinity.

The study found that the way men perceive traditional male gender norms and masculinity can affect their behaviour.

In general, 'macho' men are more likely to engage in stereotypical male behaviour, such as risk taking, substance abuse and acts of aggression.

But experts wanted to find out if 'male discrepancy stress' - when men believe themselves to be falling short of traditional masculine gender norms and worry that others view them in this light as well - had any impact on their behaviour.

The study analysed the responses of 600 American men aged between 18 and 50 in a 2012 survey.

The poll quizzed participants about their perceptions of male gender and how their own self-image fitted in with this, and risky behaviour. 

Analysis revealed that men who considered themselves less masculine than average and who experienced male discrepancy stress were more likely to say they had committed violent assaults with a weapon as well as assaults resulting in injury to the victim than those who didn't feel highly masculine, but who didn't worry about it.

There was no association between discrepancy stress and average daily use of alcohol or drugs, but men who felt less masculine, and who weren't worried about it were the least likely to report violence or driving while under the influence.

The results were published online in the journal Injury Prevention.

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