Title: "Uniformity Equals Uniformity": A Sociological Study on Impression Management in the Swedish Armed Forces. Level: Bachelor's Thesis in Sociology, 15 hp Authors: Matilda Wennström & Moa JanssonThe purpose of this qualitative study is to examine how the culture and norms of the Swedish Armed Forces impact individuals' role adaptation in the workplace and lifeworld, with a focuson hegemonic masculinity and homosociality. The study also aims to investigate how thesefactors influence employees' social relationships both within and outside the organization. The study aims to investigate the significance of the culture and norms of the Swedish Armed Forces, including hegemonic masculinity and homosociality, in relation to employees' roleadaptation in work and everyday life, as well as their behaviours and social relationships bothwithin and outside the organization. The study is inspired by a phenomenological approach and adopts a qualitative research design.Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted, involving employees exclusively from the Armed Forces. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that the shared culture and norms of the Swedish Armed Forces play a significant role in employees' role adaptation and social relationships. Despite astrong masculine culture and a homogeneous organization, there exists a sense of strongcommunity and security that fosters relationships within the organization. The homosocialculture within the organization promotes strong bonds but can also limit diversity andinclusivity, as individuals who do not fit within the boundaries of these norms may choose toleave the organization.Keywords: Impression management, relationships, The Swedish Armed Forces, masculineculture, community

Diss. Stockholm : Univ., 2003.

Psykisk ohälsa är en växande utmaning för både män och kvinnor i arbetslivet. Arbetsplatsen är en viktig arena för hälsofrämjande insatser, och mansdominerade yrken som ofta präglas av maskulinitetsnormer ses som en utmaning i det hälsofrämjande arbetet. Denna studie avsåg att undersöka hur män yrkesverksamma i mansdominerade yrken upplever trygghet och acceptans att prata om psykisk ohälsa på arbetsplatsen, samt vilka faktorer informanterna anser påverka samtalsklimatet. För att besvara studiefrågorna användes en kvalitativ ansats där 21 informanter i åldersspannet 24 till 63 år från olika mansdominerade yrken besvarade ett online-frågeformulär med fritextsvar. Data analyserades genom kvalitativ innehållsanalys och resulterade i 4 teman. Resultatet pekar mot att psykiska besvär av ytlig, lindrig och arbetsrelaterad karaktär upplevs mer tryggt att diskutera på mansdominerade arbetsplatser jämfört med allvarligare psykisk ohälsa. Maskulinitetsnormer kring psykisk ohälsa och risken för stigmatisering upplevs bidra till ett otryggt samtalsklimat. Den yngre generationen män upplevs som vägledande i att omdefiniera de manskulturella värderingarna. Informanterna tror att åtgärder riktade mot att utmana stigma kring psykisk ohälsa och att stärka tillit och samhörighet på arbetsplatser kan vara effektiva. / Mental health issues are a growing challenge for both men and women in the workplace. The workplace is a crucial arena for health promotion efforts, and male-dominated professions, often characterized by masculinity norms, pose a significant challenge in this endeavor. This study aimed to investigate how men working in male-dominated professions perceive safety and acceptance in talking about mental health issues at work, as well as the factors that informants believe influence the conversational climate. To answer the study questions, a qualitative approach was used, where 21 informants aged 24 to 63 from various male-dominated professions responded to an online questionnaire with open-ended questions. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and resulted in four themes. The findings indicate that discussing superficial, mild, and work-related mental health issues is perceived as safer in male-dominated workplaces compared to more severe mental health problems. Masculinity norms surrounding mental health and the risk of stigmatization contribute to an unsafe conversational climate. The younger generation of men is seen as leading the way in redefining cultural values related to masculinity. The informants believe that measures aimed at challenging the stigma around mental health issues and strengthening trust and cohesion in the workplace could be effective.