Chivalric disposition and mental health: a survey study of Maltese men

Abstract

The study investigates the relationship between chivalric disposition and mental health outcomes in Maltese men, in the context of broader mental health trends in Malta. Chivalric disposition was conceptualised as a construct grounded in the culturally evolved values and beliefs historically associated with chivalry, and hypothesised to influence mental health, specifically in the form of depression, anxiety, and stress. A sample of 78 Maltese men was surveyed using two main instruments, namely, a bespoke scale designed to measure chivalric disposition and a pre-validated Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Statistical analyses revealed a small but significant inverse correlation between uptake of chivalrous values and depression, suggesting that individuals with higher CD levels experience slightly lower depression. Various post hoc partial correlation tests further showed how adherence to chivalrous values may act as a mild protective factor against depression, possibly through its influence on cognitive processes associated with the experience of stressful events. The findings contribute to a deeper developing understanding of chivalric disposition as a stable cultural construct with potential implications for men’s mental health. Further research is recommended to explore the broader impact this construct may have on mental health and other matters of interest to contemporary social scientists.

Keywords

• chivalric disposition
• men's mental health
• depression
• Maltese men

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