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Poor mental health among male students and its links to their perpetration of sexual violence against women students
Tsidiso Tolla1, Andrew Gibbs2,3, Mercilene T Machisa2,4,5
1School of Public Health, Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa tsidisotolla@gmail.com.
BMJ Open
|June 28, 2026
Summary
This scoping review examines the links between poor mental health in African male university students and their perpetration of sexual violence (SV). It highlights the need for further research on masculinities and mental well-being to address SV in higher education.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Psychology
Background:
- Masculine socialization contributes to male sexual violence (SV) against women in higher education institutions (HEIs).
- Global North research links men's poor mental health and masculinities to SV perpetration.
- Limited research exists on these links within African HEIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the existing literature on poor mental health among male university students in Africa.
- To identify the links between male students' mental health challenges and their perpetration of SV against women students.
- To understand the intersection of masculinities, mental health, and SV in African higher education.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (Scopus, ERIC, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL) and grey literature.
- Utilized advanced search techniques and the Population, Concept, Context (PCC) framework for study selection.
- Inclusion of peer-reviewed articles and grey literature from Africa (1995-2025) using any empirical methodology (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods).
Main Results:
- The review will chart and summarize identified studies, providing descriptive insights into the research landscape.
- Data synthesis will combine quantitative and qualitative findings to explore the breadth and depth of the topic.
- Findings will illuminate the drivers and connections between male students' mental health and SV perpetration in African HEIs.
Conclusions:
- This scoping review will provide a foundational understanding of the research on male students' mental health and SV in African higher education.
- The findings will inform targeted interventions and future research directions.
- Dissemination will occur through open-access publication, electronic/print platforms, and conference presentations.
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