Traditional Male Role Research Articles

Patterns and Challenges in Help-Seeking for Addiction among Men: A Systematic Review.

Background/Objectives: Addictive and substance-related disorders represent a substantial public health challenge, marked by rising incidence and prevalence rates. Men and women exhibit different patterns of help-seeking for health and social issues including addictions. This research aimed to analyze the help-seeking process among men with addiction to improve understanding and develop more effective, person-centered treatments. Methods: This systematic review was performed based on the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The protocol of the revision was registered in advance in PROSPERO. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases. Results: Based on the literature search, 16 studies were included in the current systematic review. The analyzed studies included seven on substance-use disorders, three on gambling disorder, two on tobacco-use disorder, two addressing substance-related disorders in general, one on opioid-use disorder, and one focused on marijuana use. Gender differences influenced help-seeking behavior, with women generally exhibiting a higher propensity to seek assistance for addiction-related issues than men. Seeking help for addiction-whether substance use or gambling-can be hindered by several barriers, particularly public stigma and discrimination, which tend to be more pronounced for alcohol and gambling compared to tobacco. Additional barriers in the help-seeking process include negative beliefs and attitudes toward seeking help, often associated with traditional male gender roles. Each substance-use disorder was analyzed in depth to gain a better understanding of the barriers faced by this population. Conclusions: Integrating a gender perspective into the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of addiction is essential. As addiction patterns vary between men and women, approaches must be tailored accordingly. Recognizing men as a distinct group in research and clinical practice is also crucial for developing more effective and personalized treatments.

Women’s Revenge in Sexual Behavior? An Interpretation About “The Fourth Love” in Chinese Youth Culture From the Perspective of Gender Performativity

In the current era of exploring changing sexual behavior, promoting and supporting the diversity of pleasure, the sexual health and rights of sexual minorities are getting more public attention, among which the “Fourth Love” emerges as a distinctive group within the framework of Chinese culture. Fourth Love refers to a loving relationship between couples of the opposite sex where the woman assumes the traditional male gender role and the man assumes the traditional female gender role, and always accompanied by a special pattern of sexual behavior that women penetrate the men’s anus using their fingers or a device. This theoretical article begins by introducing and discussing the historical background, core concept “Fourth Love” and its related categories. Subsequently, we start from Judith Butler’s gender performativity theory and interpret the Fourth Love from the perspective of “de-naturalization” and argue that the gender performativity theory provides a reasonable explanation for the gender characteristics (female top and male bottom) of the Fourth Love. Finally, we posit a discussion and outlook on the survival and development of the Fourth Love in the fields of sexual health, sexual pleasure, sexual right, and family and marriage, and calls for more understanding and psychological support from the society for them.

Adherence to Gender Roles on PTSD Symptoms of Hurricane Harvey Survivors

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between trauma and adherence to gender roles among a sample of Hurricane Harvey survivors (N = 225). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from natural disasters has been associated with an increased risk of negative psychological outcomes. Previous studies have found increased risks of PTSD resulting from hurricane exposure, and there also appears to be a correlation between PTSD and gender. Specifically, women have been found to be more likely to endorse PTSD symptoms. However, this relationship has not yet been examined specifically among survivors of trauma from natural disasters. The Hayes Process Macro (v3.5) was utilized to test for the potential moderating effect of adherence to traditional gender roles on the relationship between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms, as well as trauma exposure and depression. Results indicated that adherence to traditional female gender roles significantly moderated the relationships both between trauma severity and PTSD symptoms and between trauma severity and depression. Those with more androgynous gender roles have been found to have an increased ability to utilize more situation-specific coping skills. Future research could explore the specific aspects of traditional female and male gender roles that increase or decrease ability to cope with trauma.

Long-term effects of the Paraguayan War (1864-1870) on intimate partner violence

This study investigates the long-term effects of the Paraguayan War (1864–1870) on intimate partner violence (IPV). The identification relies on a novel historical dataset that uses the distance from regions to military camps during the war and military camps' sizes to proxy the impact of the war across Eastern Paraguay. The likelihood of modern-day IPV is found to be 5.54% higher than the average in areas that were more heavily affected by the war. Consistent with relative improvements in female labour participation and human capital posing a threat to the traditional male breadwinner role in households, the evidence confirms that reduced gender differences in the labour market and human capital accumulation after the war increased the long-term likelihood of IPV. As non-gender types of interpersonal violence are found to be unaffected in the long run, I conclude that the gender norm caused by the war enabled IPV, arguing that women's empowerment is a multi-faceted phenomenon wherein some dimensions, such as IPV, have a greater influence than others.

The Fragmented Experience of Male “Victims” of Intimate Partner Violence in Heterosexual Relationships

ABSTRACT This study deals with the experience of men coping with violence toward them in heterosexual relationships. The research was conducted using a qualitative paradigm. It was based on 12 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Israeli men. The analysis focused on the participants’ self-perception in the context of domestic violence toward them. The findings demonstrated the effect of internalizations of socially constructed structural gender expectations on the participants’ self-perception, as a men, spouses and parents. The participants’ narratives exhibited deferent degrees of dichotomist gender perceptions, de-legitimacy for emotional vulnerability, traditional male roles as responsible spouses and parents. These elements intensified frustration and emotional repression of their experience which engendered helplessness and hopelessness. The knowledge generated should serve service providers by enabling professionals to examine IPV in a more holistic and flexible way, and to tailor interventions with men and women, that consider their unique cross-gender characteristics and difficulties.

How Do Men Evaluate and Blame Victims of Mobbing? Depending on the Victims' Identification as Feminist or Egalitarian.

In the current research, our objective was to explore how men assess and assign blame to both a man and a woman who are victims of workplace mobbing, depending on whether they identify as feminist or egalitarian. It is well recognized that the label "feminist" carries distinct connotations when applied to individuals of different genders. However, it remains unclear whether these varied connotations are due to the label itself or its underlying meaning. Given that the feminist label has been traditionally stigmatized, we aimed to disentangle the influence of the label from its semantic content. To achieve this, we compared the evaluations and attributions of victim blame directed toward targets labeled as feminist with those labeled with a similar but more neutral term-that is, egalitarian-as well as with unlabeled targets. Considering that much of the previous research in this area has focused on samples predominantly composed of women, we aimed to investigate how men respond to these labels. Through three experiments involving male participants (N = 628), we presented fictitious scenarios depicting a man or a woman who were victims of workplace mobbing due to their identification as feminist or egalitarian. The key finding of our research is that the feminist label, rather than its semantic content, significantly influences the evaluations and assignment of blame expressed by men who strongly adhere to traditional male role norms. These findings underscore the importance of these labels (feminist and egalitarian) in social judgments, particularly when applied to victims of workplace mobbing.

Empowerment through Waiting Modalities The Transformation of Syrian Female Refugees' Activities and Productivity in Lebanese Informal Tented Settlements

This paper examines gender role reversal within Syrian refugee households through waiting modalities and rhythmic practices amongst Syrian female refugees living in informal tented se lements (ITSs) along the Lebanese–Syrian borderscape. The dominant traditional male role that was observed during the pre-Syrian war appears to rescind due to a new socio-economic status that female refugees gained in their waiting to return home. The ethnographic study revealed that female refugees performed new labour tasks and assumed new roles both inside and outside the ITSs whether working with host community members or assisting multisectoral agencies. In being productive, they transformed their passive waiting into an active waiting through cultural habits and daily practices. Their shrouded skills became unlocked. Gender empowerment is therefore constantly negotiated and renegotiated due to temporary coping mechanisms and forms of resiliency. This paper uses a multi-fold framework and deconstructs empowerment from a cultural and contextual perspective. The investigation of self-determination, sense of agency, and independence is performed through a Lefebvrian 'rhythmanalysis' lens (2013) present in the women's daily and seasonal activities.

A biosocial gender analysis of entrepreneurial behaviors in conflict zones: evidence from Iraqi-Kurdistan

PurposeThis study aims to uses biosocial gender theory to describe successful entrepreneurial behavior in conflict zones. Specifically, the authors investigate how the reliance on agentic (assertive, individual focused) behavior and communal (facilitative and friendly) behavior lead to differential outcomes depending on the physical gender of the entrepreneur exhibiting the behavior.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a conceptual framework based on extant literature. To test the framework, the authors gathered survey data from Iraqi-Kurdish entrepreneurs who have been living in a state of war since the late 1980s and use a novel analytical method to deal with the limitations inherent in gathering survey data in conflict zones. Qualitative data is presented to generate a better understanding of the survey results.FindingsThe findings indicate females who are successful in taking on the traditional male role of entrepreneur in conflict zones engage in lower levels of agentic behavior compared to their male counterparts. Successful entrepreneurs (male and female) rely extensively on communal behavior in their ventures. When it comes to community development, male entrepreneurs engaging in agentic behavior, seem to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs more than females. Females relying on communal behavior engage in more mentoring of aspiring entrepreneurs than males.Originality/valueAn understanding of the unique gender dynamics underlying entrepreneurial behavior in conflict zones remains incomplete. The study introduces evidence that gender differences, as well as social factors, combine with the unique characteristics of conflict zones resulting in different behavioral paths to entrepreneurial success. The analytical method introduces some statistical tools to scholars attempting to understand the unique conflict zone context. As such, the study provides guidance for scholars working in this context, as well as NGO’s and other institutions seeking to train entrepreneurs and improve economic conditions in conflict zones.

GuysWork: Describing a school‐based healthy relationships program for adolescent boys and results from a pilot evaluation during COVID‐19

AbstractWe describe GuysWork, a school‐based healthy living program for adolescent boys, and share results from a pilot evaluation in Nova Scotia, Canada, during COVID‐19. The team hypothesized the program would reduce loneliness, perceived stress, and adherence to key traditional male gender role norms postprogram. A longitudinal cohort pre‐ and postsurvey design was used. One‐hundred fifty‐two participants completed sections of UCLA Loneliness Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Meanings of Adolescent Male‐Role Norms Scale (MAMS). Results were nonsignificant for loneliness and perceived stress. MAMS results were statistically significant with a medium effect size (r = −.26) but there are limitations in the study. This pilot study of GuysWork has resulted in important lessons learned that will ensure a forthcoming Atlantic Canada‐wide evaluation results in robust evidence with the potential to support the need for masculinity norm‐changing work specifically for adolescent boys in schools.

Transgender In Achieving The Social Acceptability In Pematangsiantar

Society expects men to behave in a masculine manner and fulfill traditional male roles, while women are expected to behave in a feminine manner and exhibit normal heterosexual behavior, such as engaging in sexual relations with the opposite sex. The existence of transgender individuals in society is often perceived as deviant. The purpose of this research is to examine the community's stereotypes towards transgender individuals in Pematangsiantar City and the adaptation strategies implemented by transgender individuals who are accepted in society. This research employs a mixed-method approach, with a focus on qualitative data analysis supplemented by quantitative data. The results of this study indicate that various negative stereotypes are associated with transgender individuals in Pematangsiantar City. Consequently, transgender individuals must use various strategies and make efforts to adapt and be accepted as themselves and as members of society. This research can serve as a reference for addressing social life and social status as a transgender individual amidst society.

Popular culture and the 'crisis of masculinity'

The eighties and nineties have wit nessed a renewed and unpre cedented Interest in men and mas culinity due to the emergence of the alleged contemporary 'crisis of masculinity'. This has been most preva lent in popular culture representations, which appear on the sur face to offer the modern man a whole range of 'new' roles and rela tionships, freeing him from patria chal entrapment and the dicates and demands of the traditional male sex role. The New Man Is Imaged as soft, sensitive, expressive and un afraid to show his emotions. New erotosized Images have made their appearance, and men are Imaged as sex objects in a way that only women were represented In the past. However, the question arises as to what these Images mean, and whether or not they represent any change In the patriarchal status quo In Western societies. In this article an attempt is made to deconstruct some of the new notions of masculinity in the light of the contempo rary 'crisis of masculinity', and the new popular culture representations of men In the mass media.

Mixed Methods Secondary Analysis of Older Adult Homicide-Suicides from National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) Data

Although homicide followed by suicide incidents comprise a small proportion of all violent deaths in the U.S., the number of cases involving older adults has increased steadily during the current century. There is no central tracking system for these cases, but restricted access data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) may present a potential source for gaining additional insights into older adult homicide-suicide incidents. The aims of this mixed methods secondary analysis research study included: to qualitatively identify salient themes which characterize intimate partner homicide followed by suicide incidents among older adults and use those themes to describe a prototypical case; to quantitatively identify prevalence and co-occurrence of qualitatively developed themes; to quantitatively compare attributes of NVDRS case data with a previously developed typology of case scenarios based on assessment of media reports. Data for this project included all identified homicide-suicide incidents among older adults which occurred during 2014-2016, the most recent years available. We identified 121 intimate partner homicide-suicide incidents captured in NVDRS records, reflecting results from 32 US states. Results of mixed methods analyses suggested the typical case in these data was characterized by male partner’s interpretation of a traditional male role and associated responsibilities, and included prior expressions of intent. These factors, alone and in combination with other developed themes, identify and exemplify risk factors for homicide-suicide in aging couples. Results of this study illustrate the value of secondary mixed methods analysis of unstructured data to explore the of an enduring public health concern.

Latinx Men in the Central Valley: Perspectives on Mental Health

Minimal studies have been conducted on the effects of traditional Latinx/Hispanic gender roles on the mental health of Latinx men. However, those conducted concluded that young adult males have the most negative attitude towards mental health treatment (Gonzales et al., 2005) and the endorsement of traditional male gender roles of machismo relate to negative cognitions and emotions (Nuñez et al., 2016). Therefore, to contribute to the need of Latinx mental health research, a survey was distributed to Hispanic/Latinx men ages 17 to 48 in the Central Valley to find if Hispanic/Latinx men have a negative attitude towards mental health treatment due to machismo and cultural gender norms factors. The results of the survey concluded heterosexual Hispanic/Latinx men between the ages of 17-26 did not have an overall negative attitude towards seeking mental health treatment, participants considered themselves masculine without it being influenced by their culture, and those in the 28-48 age bracket agreed that their culture influences their perception of gender norms while the 17-26 age bracket did not. An analysis for these findings and future research recommendations are provided to better assist the needs of Latinx male mental health research.Keywords: Latinx mental health, Machismo, negative cognitions, Hispanic men

Examining the Role of Traditional Masculinity and Depression in Men's Risk for Contracting COVID-19.

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic and claims that traditional masculinity may put some men at increased risk for infection, research reporting men’s health behaviors is critically important. Traditional masculine norms such as self-reliance and toughness are associated with a lower likelihood to vaccinate or follow safety restrictions. Furthermore, infection risk and traditional masculinity should be investigated in a differentiated manner including gender role orientation, underlying traditional masculine ideologies and male gender role conflict. In this pre-registered online survey conducted during March/April 2021 in German-speaking countries in Europe, 490 men completed questionnaires regarding contracting COVID-19 as confirmed by a validated test, fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S), and experience of psychological burden due to COVID-19. In addition, depression symptomatology was assessed by using prototypical internalizing and male-typical externalizing depression symptoms. Furthermore, self-identified masculine gender orientation, endorsement of traditional masculinity ideologies, and gender role conflict were measured. A total of 6.9% of men (n = 34) reported having contracted COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Group comparisons revealed that men who had contracted COVID-19 exhibited higher overall traditional masculine ideology and gender role conflict. Logistic regression controlling for confounders (age, income, education, and sexual orientation) indicated that only depression symptoms are independently associated with the risk of having contracted COVID-19. While prototypical depression symptoms were negatively associated with the risk of having contracted COVID-19, male-typical externalizing depression symptoms were positively associated with the risk of contracting COVID-19. For traditional masculinity, no robust association for an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 could be established, while higher male-typical externalizing depression symptoms were associated with an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

THE IMPACT OF FAMILY COMPOSITION ON FORMATION OF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S FUTURE FAMILY IMAGE

Parental family is a first social individual environment, a socialization environment. Children learn life standards from their family, “community standards” from society and perceive culture through their parents. Precisely in the family a person receives first family experience, assimilates rules and norms of behavior. Parental family becomes the most approachable observation instance and as per several conditions – inheritance pattern. Presence of family in a child’s life affects the personality of adolescents and forms the idea of their future family. As well as extended one, single parent family can also affect adolescent’s future family image, which they intend to start. Single mothers use to make the situation worse as for the problems connected with father’s absence in family life, thus forming child’s negative attitude towards the father, and thereafter to their gender – for boys, and opposite sex – for girls. Presently main features of traditional male role in a family and their contribution to the implementation of household duties are criticized by women. This forced scientists to pay greater attention to problems connected with role of man and father. It is established, that in traditional men’s social role there are several aspects that are being actively imposed on and supported namely by women. Mostly these stereotypes are connected with social role of “father and mother” in the modern family.
 Periods of family development (“a family that is awaiting a child”, “a family with a newborn baby”, “a family with a pre-school child”, “a schoolchild’s family”, “a family with a child of high school age”) were analyzed, and functions of all family members were described in this research. Maximizing the selected range of functions will provide sustainability on all stages of family development. Focus is on lighting attitudes of scientists regarding the image of the family and its impact on children’s socialization.

The impact of the traditional male role norms on the posttraumatic stress disorder among Polish male firefighters.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore potential associations between compliance with the traditional male role norms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.MethodsThe study was conducted on 135 male Polish firefighters. The study used the Impact Event Scale-Revised, the Relations/Social Support Scale and the Male Role Norms Scale.ResultsThe study revealed that the firefighters that suffered from probable PTSD (over 34% of all the respondents) seemed to comply with the male role norms more strictly than those without PTSD. The reverse was found to be true for the perceived social support. Social status norms and toughness norms understood as expectations that men should achieve high status by means of successful career, etc., and be tough and resilient at all costs to be perceived as “manly” were found to be positively associated with the development of PTSD, while in the case of perceived social support, a negative association was confirmed. The results might yield important clinical implications—traditional male role norms pertaining to toughness and social status might be associated with the increase in chances of developing PTSD after the exposure to potentially traumatic events.ConclusionsFirefighting as a stereotypically masculine occupation may be associated with the reinforcement of stereotypically masculine behaviors, which in turn is associated with a decreased ability to cope with potentially traumatic stimuli and favoring maladaptive behaviors. The results might suggest that addressing the beliefs about masculinity during psychological intervention in the case of PTSD might be beneficial especially among such masculinized groups as firefighters. The main limitations of the study are: participation of those more eager to participate and reveal personal information; the recall and report bias; the relatively small sample size; sociodemographic data omissions; the study group almost exclusively consisting of firefighters from large urban centers.

Contributing factors to suicide: Political, social, cultural and economic

This review summarizes recent research in four environmental areas affecting risk of deaths by suicide. Politically, the weight of the evidence suggests that laws increasing social welfare expenditures and other policies assisting persons with low incomes (e.g., minimum wage) tend to lower suicide rates. Other legal changes such as those restricting firearms and alcohol availability can also prevent suicides. The social institutions of marriage, as well as parenting, continue to serve as protective factors against suicide, although the degree of protection is often gendered. Religiousness tends to be inversely associated with suicide deaths at the individual level of analysis, but the mediators need exploration to determine what accounts for the association: social support, better mental health, better physical health, less divorce, or other covariates. Cultural definitions of the traditional male role (e.g., breadwinner culture) continue to help explain the high male to female suicide ratio. New work on the “culture of suicide” shows promise. The degree of approval of suicide is sometimes the single most important factor in predicting suicide. At the individual level of analysis, two of the strongest predictors of suicide are economic ones: unemployment and low socio-economic status. Attention is drawn to enhancing the minimum wage as a policy known to lower state suicide rates. Limitations of research include model mis-specification, conflicting results especially when ecological data are employed, and a need for more research exploring moderators of established patterns such as that between religiousness and suicide.

Men's Psychotherapy Use, Male Role Norms, and Male-Typical Depression Symptoms: Examining 716 Men and Women Experiencing Psychological Distress.

Men as compared to women are half as often affected by depressive and anxiety disorders and seek significantly less help for mental health issues than women. Adherence to traditional male role norms (AtTMRN) may hinder men from describing prototypical depression symptoms and from seeking psychotherapy. The current study compared whether AtTMRN, gender role identity, or the experience of prototypical or male-typical externalizing mental health symptoms were associated with psychotherapy use in men and women. In an anonymous online survey, 716 participants (37% men) reporting to currently experience psychological distress were examined. Information was obtained on psychotherapy use, depression and anxiety symptoms, gender role identity, and traditional male role norms. Although experiencing similar levels of depression, men compared to women showed a reduction in psychotherapy use by 29%. Masculine role identity was directly associated with reduced psychotherapy use in men (β = −0.41, p = 0.029), whereas AtTMRN was not (men: β = −0.04, p = 0.818; women: β = −0.25, p = 0.064). Higher externalizing depression symptomatology (β = −0.68, p = 0.005), but not prototypical depression symptomatology (β = −0.02, p = 0.499), was associated with reduced psychotherapy use in men but not women (p > 0.05). Interactions revealed that men, but not women, with high AtTMRN use psychotherapy only when exhibiting elevated symptom levels. The results corroborate previous reports showing reduced psychotherapy use in men as compared to women and identify elevated masculine role identity and male-typical externalizing depression symptomatology as direct factors associated with reduced psychotherapy use in psychologically distressed men. AtTMRN interacts with mental health symptoms to predict psychotherapy use, indicating that men with high AtTMRN only use psychotherapy when exhibiting high symptomatology.

Male depression risk, psychological distress, and psychotherapy uptake: Validation of the German version of the male depression risk scale

Screening for depressive disorders in men may be complicated by traditional male role norms. The Male Depression Risk Scale (MDRS) was developed to aid screening for depression in men adhering to traditional male role norms and to facilitate identification of depression in men in general and to promote treatment uptake. Validation of a German version of the MDRS and examination of its potential to predict clinical characteristics. In an anonymous online survey comprising of 1605 participants (male: N = 671; 42%), information was obtained on psychological distress, diagnosed psychological disorders, psychotherapy and psychopharmacological treatment. Additional measures included a German version of the MDRS as further mental-health-related constructs. The German version of the MDRS showed good validity and reliability. The previously identified 6-factor structure could be replicated for the German version. Compared to the Patient Health Questionnaire 9, the MDRS showed similar detection performance in identifying men who self-reported psychological distress, psychological disorders, depression, psychotherapy usage, or usage of psychopharmacological therapy. The German version of the MDRS shows good psychometric validity and represents a valid screening instrument for the identification of psychological distress specifically in men.

Traditional Male Role Norms, Social Support, and Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among Male Polish Police Officers

Police officers’ work involves the exposition to traumatogenic stimuli. The aim of the research is to investigate potential associations between post-traumatic stress disorder and the traditional masculinity norms and social support. Three questionnaires were used: the Impact of Event Scale-Revised adapted by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik (2009), the Social Relations Scale (Skarżyńska 2002), and the Male Role Norms Scale translated by the authors of this paper. The sample comprised 111 male active service members of the Polish Police. The analysis shows statistically significant, mildly negative associations between post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology variables and social relations/support (− .312 to − .386), and mild-to-moderate positive associations between the traditional male role norms and post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology variables (.361–.506). The intergroup differences between the police officers that probably meet the PTSD criteria and those that do not meet the criteria were mainly observed in complying with the traditional masculinity norms, in which the police officers with probable post-traumatic stress disorder had higher results than those without it; the reverse was observed in the case of social relations/support. Traditional masculinity norms, length of service, number of types of traumatic events, social relations/support, and age have proved to be significant independent predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (β = − .38–β = .49). However, in the multivariate regression, only social status norms, age, social relations/support, and number of types of traumatic events proved to be significant predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (β = − 26 to .40), accounting for 45% of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.