Associations Between Masculine Norms and Health-Care Utilization in Highly Religious, Heterosexual Men. Issue 3 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Novak, Josh R.; Peak, Terry; Gast, Julie; Arnell, Melinda
• Is Part Of: American journal of men's health. Volume 13:Issue 3(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: masculine norms -- qualitative focus group -- health-care utilization -- ecological theory; Men -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Sex factors in disease -- Periodicals; Men -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Men -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; Men -- Medical care -- Periodicals; 362.10811
• DOI: 10.1177/1557988319856739
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1557-9883

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to use focus groups to explore married men's avoidance of health-care utilization. Five focus groups of 8 to 10 married, heterosexual, male participants ( N = 44) were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory methods. Several important themes emerged connected to how masculine norms were associated with health-care utilization at several domains including at the organizational level ( perceptions of doctors ), interpersonal level ( past family context and current family context ), and individual level ( illness severity, money concerns ). These themes were all connected with the societal theme of masculine norms, where men's reasons for health-care utilization (or underutilization) seemed in large part to emerge because of their perceptions of male gender roles. Implications for married men's health-care utilization and health prevention education will be discussed.