Abstract
Research suggests that men with eating disorders are less likely to seek help than women. Men could experience social stigma that discourages help-seeking or undervalues the severity of eating disorders among men. These stigmas could be informed by traditional gender norms. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between traditional gender norms and beliefs about the severity of eating disorders in men. This quantitative study used non-generalizable convenience sampling of 90 undergraduate social work students. The study found that people who endorsed more traditional gender norms were less likely to endorse help-seeking and perceive eating disorder behaviors as being severe. It is important for social workers to be aware of these differences and increase their self-knowledge in order to ensure that men with eating disorders receive appropriate services.