Masculinity issues in addiction treatment in Swiss inpatient alcohol programs: bringing men's treatment needs back to the research agenda

Abstract

Background Various types of risk behaviors, including alcohol and drug consumption, are by far more frequent among men than among women. Men represent the majority of patients in addiction programs. However, the relationship between male gender role orientations and the treatment response is under researched. This paper sheds light on the relative importance of masculinity concepts within both the general population and a clinical sample, the perception of specific treatment needs by male alcohol patients, and the response to masculinity topics in treatment practice. Methods The study was conducted among 200 men in two Swiss alcohol inpatient programs, representative for the total patient load in the Swiss alcohol treatment system and included a matched population control group ( n = 200). The Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Male Role Norm Scale and the Masculine Gender Role Stress Scale were included in the group comparison. Results Patients show significantly lower values on the masculinity subscale and lower values on the femininity subscale than the control group: the ‘undifferentiated man’ is typical for the clinical setting. Patients who acknowledge men-specific treatment needs suffer significantly more from gender role stress and problems with sexuality and fatherhood than patients who are not aware of masculinity issues. For both topics, patients prefer a non-therapeutic setting. Group and individual therapy do not address sexuality and fatherhood issues. Conclusions These findings suggest that for specific subgroups of men an appropriate diagnosis should first check on sensitive masculinity issues, then assess gender role orientations and masculinity stress and provide adequate treatment modalities.