Masculinities and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Male Mining Workers in the Congolese Copperbelt

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 9, August 2026 | pp. 81–88

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001258

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Masculinities and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Male Mining Workers in the Congolese Copperbelt

Names of Authors: Dr. Dieudonné M. Kabamba¹, Prof. Sophie R. Ilunga¹

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract:
The mining sector in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is characterized by precarious working conditions and a highly masculinized culture. This study evaluates how cultural and institutional constructions of masculinity influence mental health help-seeking behaviors among male artisanal and industrial mining workers in the Congolese Copperbelt. Using an ethnographic approach, data were gathered through 14 months of fieldwork, including 65 semi-structured interviews and 8 focus group discussions with miners aged 20 to 55. The findings demonstrate that dominant workplace masculinities place a high premium on physical endurance, emotional stoicism, and risk-taking, which serve as mechanisms to validate male adult identity. Consequently, experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress is heavily stigmatized and framed as a failure of male provider identity. Descriptively, 84% of respondents reported experiencing work-related psychological distress, yet less than 6% had ever sought formal medical or psychological support. Instead, miners frequently rely on maladaptive coping strategies, including substance abuse and hyper-aggressive domestic behaviors, which directly increases rates of intimate partner violence in mining communities. The study concludes that institutional occupational health frameworks completely ignore psychological well-being. We recommend developing peer-led mental health interventions that deconstruct toxic masculinity norms and integrating psychological support services directly into mining camp healthcare clinics.

Keywords: Masculinities, Mental Health, Help-Seeking Behavior, Mining Industry, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Coping Mechanisms

Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 15, 2026; Revised: April 10, 2026; Accepted: May 24, 2026; Published: August 19, 2026.

Citation: Kabamba, D. M., & Ilunga, S. R. (2026). Masculinities and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Male Mining Workers in the Congolese Copperbelt. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(9), 81–88. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001258

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