Men who behave like promiscuous playboys or feel powerful over women are more likely to have mental health problems than men with less sexist attitudes, according to a study.

Links between sexist behaviour and mental health issues such as depression and substance abuse were found in the study which appeared in the Journal of Counselling Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.

There are links between sexist behaviour and mental health problems. Credit:Stocksy

"Some of these sexist masculine norms, like being a playboy and power over women, aren't just a social injustice but they are also potentially bad for your mental health," said Joel Wong, an associate professor of counselling psychology at Indiana University Bloomington and lead author of the study.

Its release comes on the heels of the election to the US presidency of Donald Trump, whose comments about women that emerged during the election campaign were condemned by many as sexist and misogynist.