Year: 2017
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Help-seeking behavior is often attributed to use of psychological services which in turn is attributed to reduced periods of distress. Masculine gender roles and gender role conflict have been attributed as barriers to seeking help for psychological distress in recent years. A gap in research, however, has been considering in how these roles effect help-seeking behavior in the context of couples counseling. The current study was conducted to explore how masculine roles and gender role conflict affect both attitudes and stigma towards seeking couples counseling. \nParticipants completed measures of masculine roles, traits, and conflict. The current study found that higher conformity to certain masculine traits predicts both men and women???s attitudes toward couples counseling. The study also found that men who conformed to more masculine gender role norms at greater levels had more stigma towards help-seeking behavior for couples counseling. \nRestrictive emotionality and negativity towards sexual minorities were both found to be predictive of negative attitudes and increased stigma for all participants. In men only, restrictive emotionality and negative affective behavior towards other males were also predictive of negative attitudes and increased stigma. However, some traits, such as self-reliance on mechanical skills, were found to be predictive of more positive attitudes. \nMore research is needed to examine the relationships between these masculine norms and help-seeking behavior for couples counseling. Using the current studies results, shaping a campaign directed to reduce stigma towards couples counseling from a masculinity perspective could be helpful.
Author: Zachary Hedges
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3210759323