{"title":"Alexithymia and Circumcision Trauma: A Preliminary Investigation","authors":"D. Bollinger, R. S. Howe","doi":"10.3149/JMH.1002.184","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.1002.184","url":null,"abstract":"This preliminary study investigates what role early trauma might have in alexithymia acquisition for adults by controlling for male circumcision. Three hundred self-selected men were administered the Toronto Twenty-Item Alexithymia Scale checklist and a personal history questionnaire. The circumcised men had age-adjusted alexithymia scores 19.9 percent higher than the intact men; were 1.57 times more likely to have high alexithymia scores; were 2.30 times less likely to have low alexithymia scores; had higher prevalence of two of the three alexithymia factors (difficulty identifying feelings and difficulty describing feelings); and were 4.53 times more likely to use an erectile dysfunction drug. Alexithymia in this population of adult men is statistically significant for having experienced circumcision trauma and for erectile dysfunction drug use.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"10 1","pages":"184-195"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"We Men Must Love Our Boys","authors":"Miles Groth","doi":"10.3149/JMH.1001.97","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.1001.97","url":null,"abstract":"Men are called on to step forward to mentor boys and young men whenever possible, but especially in situations where boys are in households where there is no father. The weakening of the nuclear family is in large part due to the absent father in the generations since World War II. The social institution that will replace the traditional nuclear family will likely depend on such mentoring relationships. Both the institution and nature of the relationship are being created in a time of rapid social change. It is argued that mentors as fathering figures will be important for the well-being of both boys and girls, women and men in the 21st century, but that boys are in an especially precarious situation. Originally given as an address at the biannual gathering of men at Newcastle University in Australia in 2009, the text singles out the words of the title as starting points for reflection on the importance of mentoring relationships between men and boys throughout the West. Address delivered October 8, 2009, at the 8th Australian Men’s Gathering, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The text has been revised for publication here, but I have tried to retain the feel of spontaneity of my plenary presentation.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"10 1","pages":"97-106"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Building on the Strengths of Australian Males","authors":"J. Macdonald","doi":"10.3149/JMH.1001.82","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.1001.82","url":null,"abstract":"Theoretically, health-related policies are driven by an assessment of population need and are based on evidence of both need and resources. In practice, however, many other factors and stakeholders exert an influence. As regards boys and men’s health in Australia, and arguably in other countries also, the driving forces have rather been culturally or professionally driven priorities (sometime reinforcing one another). The results have not always been to the benefit of male health. This article suggests that the recent Australian Male Health Policy marks a departure from prevailing mind-sets and practice and in so doing charts a way towards a more rational and compassionate view of men, and hopefully more effective professional practice. The change in perspective involved can help bring about a cultural shift which will have benefits for all Australian males and thereby the entire population.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"87 1","pages":"82-96"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Has the Health System Failed Men? The Perceptions of the Men’s Movement on Men’s Health in Australia","authors":"S. Karoski","doi":"10.3149/JMH.1001.45","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.1001.45","url":null,"abstract":"There is strong evidence that on many health measures men are doing significantly worse than women, including lower life expectancy and increased cardiovascular mortality, rate of injury, depression and suicide. This paper, based on interviews with prominent men in the men’s movement, examines men’s health issues from the men’s movement perspective. It considers men’s health from four different men’s movement viewpoints: Profeminist, Fathers’ Rights, Mythopoetic and Inclusive men’s movement strands. The literature and men’s movement discourses range from arguments that medical practices and research have ignored men’s health needs to those that posit masculinity as the major causation and explanation for men’s poor health status. There is reason to hope that the new, well structured and widely embracing national men’s health policy will address these concerns.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"10 1","pages":"45-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Older Men’s Wellbeing Through Community Participation in Australia","authors":"B. Golding","doi":"10.3149/JMH.1001.26","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.1001.26","url":null,"abstract":"This paper explores the wellbeing implications of older men’s community involvement. It is based on data from recent, mixed method, Australian research that investigated learning and wellbeing for older men (age over 50) in diverse sites for six community organisation types. It investigates men’s wellbeing outcomes as a consequence of participation in community organisations. The data illustrate the important health and wellbeing benefits, particularly to many older men, of regular, practical, hands-on activity and involvement. The paper includes a critical examination of the opportunities for enhancing health and wellbeing filtered through the World Health Organisation’s (WHO, 2003) Social Determinants of Health. This research illustrates how diverse community organisations have the capacity to address men’s health and wellbeing, particularly if they acknowledge the importance of both the role of men’s cultural norms and values and the value of men’s agency through grassroots organisations such as community men’s sheds.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"10 1","pages":"26-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"\"Give it everything you got\" : resilience for young males through sport","authors":"N. Hall","doi":"10.3149/JMH.1001.65","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.1001.65","url":null,"abstract":"“Sport builds character” is a phrase often heard throughout Australian society, but whether it really reflects what happens for young males through sport is debatable. This paper reports on doctoral research with young males. The stories of their sporting experiences provide rich insight into the ways that sport does, and does not, build resilience to facilitate the transition to adulthood and negotiate the adversities of adolescence.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"10 1","pages":"65-81"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mibbinbah and Spirit Healing: Fostering Safe, Friendly Spaces for Indigenous Males in Australia","authors":"Jack. Bulman, Rick Hayes","doi":"10.3149/JMH.1001.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.1001.6","url":null,"abstract":"This article seeks to share some of the insights that have been gained through a participatory action research program exploring the issue of safe spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males in Australia. The three-year program sought to build the capacity of the men, their organisations and their communities. It began out of the friendship of two men and expanded to include dozens of men and a number of key organisations through time. Thus, recounting some of the beginnings, progress and conclusion of the process offers some understanding of what might be possible in terms of improving the health of Indigenous males. The focus has been on a strengths-based, or salutogenic approach we call “Spirit Healing.” This article seeks to provide insight into safe spaces for dealing with depression and anxiety and supporting community-based Indigenous male researchers. In the end, safe, well-facilitated spaces foster and further respect while they diminish lateral violence and its consequences.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"10 1","pages":"6-25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Qualitative Study of Work-Related Stress among Male Staff in Hong Kong's Social Welfare Sector","authors":"G. T. C. Wong, Z. Chan","doi":"10.3149/JMH.0903.221","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.0903.221","url":null,"abstract":"The social welfare sector is a female-dominated environment. Thus, the needs of male staff are usually overlooked. This study aims to describe the stress experienced by male staff in Hong Kong’s social welfare sector. A qualitative research approach was adopted using multiple case studies. Forty participants were recruited by convenience sampling. Personal essays developed from guide questions were used in data collection, and content analysis was carried out. The results suggest the need for planning stress management programmes in this sector. Further research on the topic using triangulation and purposive sampling would be useful to confirm the results and compare the experience of stress among male social workers in Eastern and Western cultures.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"41 1","pages":"221-238"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"On Fear and Loathing in the Fragile Masculine Self","authors":"C. Watkins, Christopher Blazina","doi":"10.3149/JMH.0903.211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.0903.211","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, we propose that the fragile masculine self consists of at least two strands of intersecting, intertwined, commingling psychological dynamics: fear and self-loathing. While literature about the fragile masculine self has focused primarily on the fear dynamic, no attention has been given to what we present here as the twin dynamic of self-loathing. Self-loathing is defined, two case examples illustrating the presence of self-loathing (and fear) in the fragile masculine self are presented, and analyses of each case are provided. It is our contention that, if the fragile masculine self is to be most fully understood, studied, and treated, the twin dynamics of fear and self-loathing must both be considered and addressed.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"9 1","pages":"211-220"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experiences of Condom Fit and Feel among Men in Five European Nations","authors":"B. Dodge, M. Reece, D. Herbenick, V. Schick","doi":"10.3149/JMH.0903.175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3149/JMH.0903.175","url":null,"abstract":"Findings from recent studies in the United States indicate that some men report they perceive problems with the fit and feel of condoms and that these perceptions are associated with lack of consistent condom use. However, little research has explored how men outside the U.S. feel about the fit and feel of condoms. The research project was conducted by researchers in the U.S. in collaboration with a range of community partners in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain. A total of 2,921 men completed The Condom Fit and Feel Scale and other items via Internet-based surveys available in six languages. Men from each nation were compared using descriptive and multivariate techniques to assess condom fit and feel. Although most men reported they generally perceived condoms to fit fine and feel comfortable, there were differences across men in different countries with regard to specific issues they experienced with condom fit and feel. In particular, men in the Netherlands were least likely to report that condoms fit fine and most likely to report that condoms felt too tight and/or too short. Men from Slovenia were most likely to report that condoms were too loose. The fit and feel issues that men identified may be among those that are associated with their likelihood of using, or not using, condoms consistently and correctly. A better understanding of fit and feel perceptions in this study will be beneficial to both condom manufacturers and health professionals.","PeriodicalId":88000,"journal":{"name":"International journal of men's health","volume":"9 1","pages":"175-183"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69857369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}