UK survey on experiences of men with non-cancer-related lymphoedema: part one.

This initial article delves into the methodology, methods and theories, while the subsequent article will centre on the discoveries, discussion and conclusion. The study aimed to address the research question: how do men perceive their engagement in the self-management of non-cancer-related lymphoedema? An interpretivist qualitative methodology was employed, utilising an online survey based on the validated lymphoedema quality of life tool (LYMQoL). The data underwent inductive narrative inquiry. The study incorporated theories such as hegemonic masculinity and the health, illness, men and masculinities (HIMM) framework. The findings will be detailed in the second article in this series. This article has delineated the objective, methodologyand methods, employing a qualitative interpretivist approach through narrative inquiry. The study incorporated masculinity theories, including hegemonic masculinity and HIMM. The second article will present the findings and their significance within the broader literature.

Amazons in Mali? Women's experiences of breast cancer and gender (re)negotiation.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer, with more than 2.31 million cases diagnosed worldwide in 2022. Cancer medicine subjects the body to invasive procedures in the hope of offering a chance of recovery. In the course of treatment, the body is pricked, burned, incised and amputated, sometimes shattering identity and often changing the way women perceive the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, incidence rates are steadily increasing and women are particularly young when they develop breast cancer. Despite this alarming situation, the scientific literature on breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa is poor and largely dominated by medical literature. Using a qualitative approach and a theoretical framework at the intersection of the sociology of gender and the sociology of the body, we explore the discourse strategies of women with breast cancer in Mali regarding their relationship to the body and to others. Based on 25 semi-directive interviews, we analyse the experiences of these women. Using the image of the Amazon woman, whose struggle has challenged gender because of its masculine attributes, we explore whether these women's fight against their breast cancer could be an opportunity to renegotiate gender relations. The experience of these women is characterised by the deconstruction of their bodies, pain and suffering. The masculinisation of their bodies and their inability to perform certain typically female functions in society (such as cooking or sexuality) challenges their female identity. The resistance observed through the sorority, discreet mobilisation and display of their bodies does not seem to be part of a renegotiation of gender relations, but it does play an active role in women's acceptance of the disease and their reconstruction.

The "Central Tendency Bias" in the assessment of facial attractiveness in group-based and individual ratings-A survey-based study in 727 volunteers.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of esthetic procedures emphasizes the need for effective evaluation methods of outcomes. Current practices include the individual practitioners' judgment in conjunction with standardized scales, often relying on the comparison of before and after photographs. This study investigates whether comparative evaluations influence the perception of beauty and aims to enhance the accuracy of esthetic assessments in clinical and research settings. OBJECTIVE: To compare the evaluation of attractiveness and gender characteristics of faces in group-based versus individual ratings. METHODS: A sample of 727 volunteers (average age of 29.5 years) assessed 40 facial photographs (20 male, 20 female) for attractiveness, masculinity, and femininity using a 5-point Likert scale. Each face was digitally edited to display varying ratios in four lip-related proportions: vertical lip position, lip width, upper lip esthetics, and lower lip esthetics. Participants rated these images both in an image series (group-based) and individually. RESULTS: Differences in the perception of the most attractive/masculine/feminine ratios for each lip proportion were found in both the group-based and individual ratings. Group ratings exhibited a significant central tendency bias, with a preference for more average outcomes compared with individual ratings, with an average difference of 0.50 versus 1.00. (p = 0.033) CONCLUSION: A central tendency bias was noted in evaluations of attractiveness, masculinity, and femininity in group-based image presentation, indicating a bias toward more "average" features. Conversely, individual assessments displayed a preference for more pronounced, "non-average" appearances, thereby possibly pointing toward a malleable "intrinsic esthetic blueprint" shaped by comparative context.

Self-perceptions of masculinities and testicular cancer: Qualitative explorations.

OBJECTIVE: Masculinities have been explored in men with testicular cancer (TC), though limited contemporary research is available on traditional masculine norms important to masculine self-perception. The purpose of this research was to explore the discourse of TC experience in relation to masculine self-perception. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted consisting of semi-structured interviews with 21 men. Men were aged between 31 and 47 (Mage = 35.7). Most men were diagnosed with Stage 1 cancer (66.6%), all men had finished active treatment and time since diagnosis ranged from 17.3 to 71.8 months (M = 47.2). Independent coding was conducted by two researchers and was refined in coding meetings with authors. Themes were developed in a predominantly deductive manner, and analysis of themes was undertaken using a reflexive analysis approach. RESULTS: Traditional masculine norms showed differing relationships to masculine self-perception. Two main themes were identified [1] Maintained or enhanced masculine self-perception and [2] threats to masculine self-perception. Subthemes demonstrated that maintaining emotional control, strength and 'winning' was important to men, and reduced physical competencies (i.e., strength, sexual dysfunction, virility) challenged self-perception. Strict adherence to traditional norms in response to threatened self-perception related to psychological distress. CONCLUSION: Leveraging traditionally masculine norms such as physical strength and control and developing flexible adaptations of masculinities should be encouraged with men with TC to retain self-perception and potentially enable better coping. Masculine self-perception of gay/bisexual men may centre around sexual functioning, though further research is required.

Associations of Adolescent School Social Networks, Gender Norms, and Adolescent-to-Young Adult Changes in Male Gender Expression With Young Adult Substance Use.

PURPOSE: Male gender expression (MGE), which is shaped by sociocultural pressures around masculinity, has been previously associated with health. This study examines associations of adolescent social network variables and school gender norms with MGE changes from adolescence to young adulthood, and associations of these changes with young adult substance use. METHODS: Analyzing data from Waves I (1994-95, adolescents, aged 12-18) and IV (2008-09, young adults, 24-32) of a nationally representative longitudinal cohort study, male participants' MGE was assessed in each wave using a validated, empirically derived measure. Linear regression was used to evaluate associations of adolescent-to-young adult MGE changes between waves with adolescent social network characteristics and school gender norms. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between adolescent-to-young adult MGE changes and young adult substance uses (cigarette, marijuana, heavy alcohol, and recreational drug use, and prescription drug misuse). RESULTS: Among 4,776 male participants, adolescent-to-young adult MGE changes were significantly associated with school gender norms such that adolescents whose MGE markedly departed from their schools' average exhibited greater MGE changes in the direction of their schools' average (ß = -0.83, p < .01) relative to those who were more similar to school means. Adolescent-to-young adult increases in MGE were significantly associated with greater odds of all young adult substance use behaviors except prescription drug misuse. DISCUSSION: Adolescents' MGE relative to other males at their school was associated with MGE changes toward school norms, with implications for young adult substance use. Adolescent gender norms may be an underexplored strategy for interventions to reduce substance misuse.

Illness and (hyper)masculinity in 'HIMM' comics from the USA.

In this essay, I analyse HIMM comics from the USA, a specific textualisation of graphic medicine/pathography that deals with a variety of illness experiences by male cartoonists. It is my contention that, in the existing literature, the motif of masculinity in autobiographical health-related comics is an underdeveloped area of academic enquiry. As a result, my analysis focuses on how three North American men depict ill health in their work in relation to existing sociological understandings of male behaviour. The texts I discuss are John Porcellino's The Hospital Suite (2014), a story about his abdominal tumour; Matt Freedman's exploration of adenoid cystic carcinoma in Relatively Indolent but Relentless (2014); and Peter Dunlap-Shohl's My Degeneration (2015), which discusses the cartoonist's experience of Parkinson's disease. At the same time, I use the concept of hypermasculinity to explore the similar visual and verbal strategies through which these men respond to their physical and emotional suffering. It is my intention to illustrate how HIMM comics provide an important, non-medicalised lens through which clinical practitioners and lay readers alike can better see the subjectivised experience of male illness in the early 21st century. With a focus on the concept of bracketing, the representation of pain and vulnerability, men's loss of self-identity and hardiness, I explore how HIMM comics act as important counter-narratives to biomedical discourse by visualising the phenomenological aspects of men's ill health. In this way, the texts in my analytical corpus offer a valuable gender-oriented understanding of the connection between illnesses and (hyper)masculinity.

A phenomenological study on the lived experience of men with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Whilst chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been widely researched amongst women, studies investigating how men experience a CFS diagnosis is limited. This study utilised an interpretative phenomenological approach to interview five men who have a medical diagnosis of CFS. Six themes emerged to demonstrate the participants' experiences prior to, during and after obtaining their CFS diagnosis. Findings revealed that participants were initially reluctant to accept their condition, confounded by their perception that symptoms compromised their sense of masculinity. They also felt that healthcare professionals had limited recognition of CFS leading them to seek social support and legitimisation from other sources. The struggle to come to terms with a different lifestyle and sense of masculinity prevailed. Such knowledge could be effectively utilised by researchers, practitioners and employers to facilitate an increased understanding of male accounts of the condition and more bespoke interventions where required.

Malignancy, masculinities, and psychological distress: Comparisons made between men with testicular cancer and healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: Psychological distress is common in men with testicular cancer (TC), and masculinities may work to explain this. This study aimed to compare masculinities and distress in TC and healthy control (HC) populations and explore relationships between correlates of distress (psychological flexibility and coping style) and masculinities in TC. METHODS: A cross-sectional, online survey was completed by 92 men with TC (Mage  = 34.8) and 90 HC (Mage  = 30.7). Measures included psychological distress (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression/Anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence inventory-short form), masculinities (gender role conflict-short form, inventory of subjective masculinity experiences/subjective masculinity stress scale, masculinity in chronic disease inventory), coping style (mini-mental adjustment to cancer ) and psychological flexibility (comprehensive assessment of acceptance commitment therapy). Linear regressions were conducted to compare groups and analyse associations. RESULTS: There were no differences in masculinities or psychological distress between populations (all p > 0.05 and all Cohen's d < 0.20), except for subjective masculine stress and restrictive affectionate behaviour between men. For men with TC, restrictive affection/emotion, conflicts between family/work and subjective masculine stress were associated with psychological distress (rs 0.21-0.58). Optimistic action was negatively associated with depression/anxiety, helplessness/hopelessness coping (rs -0.27 to -0.42) and positively associated with psychological flexibility (r = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Masculinities are implicated in psychological distress in men with TC. Psychological flexibility as well as leveraging masculine beliefs (e.g., optimistic action) may be modifiable targets to reduce distress in men with TC.

Descortinando Estudos em Masculinidades: uma análise sobre o catálogo de teses e dissertações da Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Unveiling Studies in Masculinities: an analysis of the theses and dissertations catalog of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel Foundation / Découvrant des Études sur les Masculinités: analyse du catalogue de thèses et de mémoires de la Fondation Coordination pour l'Amélioration du Personnel de l'Enseignement Supérieur / Revelando Estudios sobre Masculinidades: un análisis del catálogo de tesis de la Fundación Coordinación para el Perfeccionamiento del Personal de Educación Superior

A Psicologia como campo de saber é chamada para compreender processos de invisibilização e subalternização de experiências, tais como o processo de masculinização de homens. A partir da análise de pesquisas em masculinidade(s) e sobre homens realizadas pelos programas de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia no Brasil disponíveis no Catálogo de Teses e Dissertações da Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, compreendemos a importância de se introduzir critérios socioculturais como filtros em catálogos de indexação de pesquisas. Essa estratégia possibilita entender quem tem pesquisado sobre determinado campo teórico e dialogar de maneira mais afinado com as(os) interlocutoras(es) em uma pesquisa, auxiliando na promoção da inserção social, critério de avaliação estabelecido por essa fundação

Psychology as a field of knowledge is called upon to understand processes of invisibilization and subalternization of experiences, such as the process of masculinization of men. Based on an analysis of research into masculinity(ies) and men carried out by Postgraduate Programs in Psychology in Brazil, available in the Theses and Dissertations Catalog of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) Foundation, we understood the importance of introducing sociocultural criteria as filters in search indexing catalogs. This strategy makes it possible to understand who has been researching a given theoretical field and to engage in a more attuned dialogue with the interlocutor(s) in a piece of research, helping to promote social inclusion, an evaluation criterion established by CAPES

La Psicología como campo de conocimiento se utiliza para comprender los procesos de invisibilidad y subordinación de experiencias, como el proceso de masculinización de los hombres. A partir del análisis de estudios sobre masculinidad(es) y sobre hombres realizados por los Programas de Posgrado en Psicología en Brasil, disponibles en el Catálogo de Tesis de la Coordinación para el Perfeccionamiento del Personal de Educación Superior, entendemos la importancia de introducir criterios culturales, como filtros en los catálogos de indexación de búsqueda. Esta estrategia permite comprender a quienes vienen investigando sobre un determinado campo teórico y dialogar más de cerca con el(los) interlocutor(es) en una investigación, contribuyendo a promover la inclusión social, criterio de evaluación establecido por esta entidad

La Psicología como campo de conocimiento se utiliza para comprender los procesos de invisibilidad y subordinación de experiencias, como el proceso de masculinización de los hombres. A partir del análisis de estudios sobre masculinidad(es) y sobre hombres realizados por los Programas de Posgrado en Psicología en Brasil, disponibles en el Catálogo de Tesis de la Coordinación para el Perfeccionamiento del Personal de Educación Superior, entendemos la importancia de introducir criterios culturales, como filtros en los catálogos de indexación de búsqueda. Esta estrategia permite comprender a quienes vienen investigando sobre un determinado campo teórico y dialogar más de cerca con el(los) interlocutor(es) en una investigación, contribuyendo a promover la inclusión social, criterio de evaluación establecido por esta entidad

La influencia del consumo de pornografía en la construcción de la sexualidad masculina de jóvenes chilenos / The influence of pornography consumption on the construction of male sexuality in young chilean men

Este trabajo está orientado a conocerla influencia que ejerce la pornografía en la construcción de la sexualidad de hombres jóvenes consumidores de la ciudad de Temuco, Chile. De acuerdo con la literatura la pornografía es vista de forma mayoritaria por jóvenes varones que van desde los 12 años hasta su adultez. Esta situación influye en la socialización de los varones y en su concepción de la sexualidad que resulta ser problemática como consecuencia de este consumo. Para esto se realizó una investigación de carácter cualitativo en la cual se aplicaron diez entrevistas semiestructuradas a jóvenes consumidores de 21 a 26 años y a dos expertos (en educación y en sexualidad). Los resultados apuntan a la existencia una fuerte influencia de la pornografía en la sexualidad de los jóvenes. No limitada sólo a la sexualidad, sino que además a la concepción propia de la masculinidad y su rol en las relaciones afectivos-sexuales. Finalmente, los resultados evidencian que los jóvenes reflexionan sobre los elementos negativos que han debido afrontar dadas las sustanciales diferencias que tiene la ficción con la realidad en el consumo de pornografía AU

This work is oriented to know the influence that pornography exerts in the constructionof the sexuality of young male consumers in the city of Temuco, Chile. According to the literature, pornography is viewed mostly by young men ranging from 12 years to adulthood. This situation influences the socialization of men and their conception of sexuality, which turns out to be problematic as a consequence of this consumption. For this, a qualitative investigation was carried out in which ten semi-structured interviews were applied to young consumers between the ages of 21 and 26 and to two experts (in education and in sexuality). The results point to the existence of a strong influence of pornography on the sexuality of young people. Not limited only to sexuality, but also to the own conception of masculinity and its role in affective-sexual relationships. Finally, the results show that young people reflect on the negative elements that they have had to face given the substantial differences between fiction and reality in the consumption of pornography AU

Público e privado: masculinidades e práticas de cuidados na pandemia / Public and private: masculinities and care practices in the pandemic / Público y privado: masculinidades y prácticas de cuidado en la pandemia

Frente ao cenário pandêmico de COVID-19 vivenciado por todo o mundo, fomos forçados a produzir rearranjos relacionais para lidar com as dificuldades impostas por esse momento e uma das grandes mudanças que tivemos foi a necessidade de distanciamento social para não propagação do vírus. Neste sentido, trazemos para análise as mudanças da dimensão do público para o privado de homens brasileiros, tendo como objetivo compreender como tal mudança reverberou em suas práticas de cuidado para si e para o outro. Tivemos como referencial metodológico as práticas discursivas para a análise de entrevistas realizadas com homens que participam de um grupo terapêutico virtual. Concluímos que no contexto pandêmico, estes homens tiveram que lidar com dimensões do cuidado doméstico, de filhos, do outro e de si de forma inédita, que por vezes acarretaram situações angustiantes e desafiadoras que exigiram ressignificação e novas relações com as práticas de cuidado. (AU)

Front to COVID-19 pandemic scenario experienced around the world, we were forced to produce relationshiprearrangements to deal with the difficulties imposed by this moment and one of the great changes we had was the need for social distance to avoidthe vírus spreading. Therefore, we bring to analysis the changes from the public to the private dimension of Brazilian men, aiming to understand how this change reverberated in their care practices for themselves and for the others.We had as a methodological reference the discursive practices tointerviewsanalysiscarried out with men who participate in a virtual therapeutic group. We conclude that inthe pandemic context, these men had to deal with domestic carecontextual, of children, of theother and of themselves in an unprecedented way, which sometimes led to distressing and challenging situations that required a re-signification of their forms ofcare and a change in the theme perception. (AU)

Ante el escenario de pandemia del COVID-19 vivido en todo el mundo, nos vimos obligados a producir reacomodos relacionales para hacer frentea las dificultades que impone este momento y uno de los grandes cambios que tuvimosfue la necesidad del distanciamiento social para evitar la propagación del virus. En ese sentido, traemos para el análisis los cambios de la dimensiónpública a la privadade los hombres brasileños, con el objetivo de comprender cómo ese cambio repercutióen sus prácticas de cuidado para sí y para el otro. Tuvimos como referente metodológico las prácticas discursivas para el análisis deentrevistas realizadas a hombres que participan en un grupo terapéutico virtual. Concluimos que en el contexto de la pandemia, estos hombres debieron lidiar con dimensiones del cuidado doméstico, de los niños, del otro y de sí mismos de una forma inédita,lo que en ocasiones condujo a situaciones angustiosas y desafiantes que exigieron una resignificación de sus formas. del cuidado y un cambio en la percepción del tema. (AU)

Connecting Masculinities to Men's Illness Vulnerabilities and Resilience.

Men's illness vulnerabilities and resilience are two predominant and regularly linked constructs in the masculinities and men's health literature. There has been a steady stream of men's strength-based vulnerabilities in the form of illness testimonials amid critiques that such disclosures are mere props for bolstering patriarchal power. The current article presents secondary analyses of case studies with four participants who took part in wide-ranging qualitative health studies to detail diverse connections between masculinities and men's illness vulnerabilities and resilience. Prostate cancer-related vulnerabilities feature in the first case study where Arthur's resilience for reclaiming his erectile function post-prostatectomy mobilizes an objection masculinity contesting his marginality. In the second case study, Chuck's vulnerabilities are conceded as permanent flowing from his severe mental illness, a positionality situating resilience as obligatory for his survival. Here, Chuck embodies a resignate masculinity that accepts but works to manage the harms of his subordinate status. In the aftermath of his young son's suicide, Jack laments that he did not model vulnerabilities. Resilience for understanding his loss influences a reimagined masculinity where Jack contemplates changes to gender norms for his and other men's lives. Lastly, Sami replaces maladaptive actions for dousing vulnerabilities incurred through a partner-initiated separation with resilience for self-growth. Aspiring progress masculinity, Sami deconstructs his emotions and behaviors to positively change how he shows up as a man, father, and partner. The case studies reveal connections between objection, resignate, reimagined, and progress masculinities and men's illness vulnerabilities and resilience to advance empirical, gender theory and methodological insights.

Real Face Analysis of Masculinity-Femininity, Facial Ratios, and Attractiveness.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have evaluated the influence of facial features in determining male and female sex using prototypical renderings or artificially altered faces in relatively small sample sizes. Using a large set of human photographs and raters, this study hypothesized that certain anatomic facial ratios are associated with perceptions of masculinity/femininity, can interact to predict sex, and are associated with ratings of attractiveness differently in males and females. METHODS: Ratings of masculinity-femininity and binary self-identification (male or female) were compared with facial anatomic ratios from 827 frontal facial photographs. Ratios were used to characterize facial feature relativity, where higher ratio scores indicated relatively more facial feature representation. RESULTS: Femininity was associated with prominent middle third ratio, nose length, lip vermillion height, eye height, and eye width ratios; masculinity was associated with prominence of the upper and lower facial thirds, nose width, chin height, and philtrum height ratios (all P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis demonstrated many of these relationships persisted when evaluating masculinity in females and femininity in males. Misgendering in males was associated with greater middle third ratio and upper lip ratio, whereas misgendering in females was associated with increased nose width ratio. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates associations of femininity with increased horizontal middle third representation, and masculinity was associated with increased upper and lower horizontal representation. These facial ratios interact to predict male and female sex, which could have implications for optimizing facial feminization/masculinization outcomes and building algorithms for artificial intelligence analysis of faces.

Circumcision as conquest: Masculinity in Eswatini's voluntary medical male circumcision campaign materials.

As a public health intervention related to sexual transmission and involving genital surgery, male circumcision for HIV prevention necessarily relates to understandings of sexuality and gender, a relationship which public health campaign materials have shaped in varying ways. Here, I employ discourse analysis to examine messages about gender and sexuality in Eswatini's Soka Uncobe (Circumcise and Conquer) public health campaign for voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). The slogan 'conquest' echoes nationalist imagery and extends throughout campaign materials, such as in a comic book presenting the circumcising man as a hero vanquishing an enemy. Elsewhere, campaign materials use the slogan to link sexual conquest to the conquest of HIV in a move that is misleading and potentially harmful. As with several circumcision campaigns in the region, messages about the HIV protection offered through the intervention and the limits to this protection are minimal and are overshadowed by a framing of circumcision as a newly necessary norm for appropriate masculine citizenship and sexuality. This consideration of the positioning of gender, sexuality, and sex in campaign materials promoting VMMC is pertinent to the global public health effort to reduce HIV transmission, particularly given the social complexities at stake in the context of sexual transmission.

Men's Achilles' heel: prostate cancer and the reconstruction of masculinity.

The aim of this study was to investigate how Swedish men diagnosed with prostate cancer understand the effects of their treatment in relation to sexual health and masculinity. Utilising a phenomenological and sociologically informed approach, the study involved interviews with 21 Swedish men who experienced problems following treatment. The results showed that participants' initial response post-treatment, involved the development of new bodily understandings and socially informed strategies to handle incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Due to impotence and the loss of ejaculatory ability following treatments such as surgery, participants re-articulated the meaning of intimacy, as well as their understanding of masculinity and themselves as ageing men. Unlike in previous research, such a re-articulation of masculinity and sexual health is understood as taking place within rather than in opposition to hegemonic masculinity.

Contribuições do psicodrama bipessoal sobre as masculinidades / Contributions of bipersonal psychodrama on masculinities / Aportes del psicodrama bipersonal sobre las masculinidades

INTRODUÇÃO: O papel de homem perpassa muitas construções sociais e é atravessado por conservas culturais diversas, inclusive de uma masculinidade hegemônica. OBJETIVO: Este artigo objetivou compreender as contribuições do psicodrama bipessoal nas conservas culturais relacionadas à masculinidade. MÉTODO: Por meio de uma pesquisa-ação, foram analisados os registros profissionais de recortes de sessões de dois homens adultos com demandas psicológicas relacionadas às masculinidades, sendo uma pesquisa descritiva, qualitativa e psicodramática. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO: Através do psicodrama bipessoal, foi possível conhecer algumas conservas culturais associadas ao papel de homem e como estas influenciavam em uma masculinidade dividida entre estereótipos e demonstração ou não de vulnerabilidades. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Nesse sentido, o psicodrama bipessoal contribuiu como forma de acesso a respostas espontâneas na busca por uma masculinidade com menor sofrimento psicológico.

INTRODUCTION: The role of man permeates many social constructions and is crossed by different cultural preserves, including hegemonic masculinity. OBJECTIVE: This article aimed to understand the contributions of bipersonal psychodrama in cultural preservations related to masculinity. METHOD: Through action research, professional records of session excerpts from two adult men with psychological demands related to masculinities were analyzed, using a descriptive, qualitative, and psychodramatic approach. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Through bipersonal psychodrama, it was possible to understand the cultural preservations associated with the role of men and how they influenced a masculinity divided between stereotypes and the expression or non-expression of vulnerabilities. CONCLUSIONS: In this sense, bipersonal psychodrama contributed as a means of accessing spontaneous responses in the pursuit of a masculinity with less psychological suffering.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El papel del hombre permea muchas construcciones sociales y está atravesado por diferentes conservaciones culturales, incluida la masculinidad hegemónica. OBJETIVO: Este artículo tiene como objetivo comprender las contribuciones del psicodrama bipersonal en la conservación cultural relacionada con la masculinidad. MÉTODO: A través de una investigación-acción, se analizaron los registros profesionales de fragmentos de sesiones de dos hombres adultos con demandas psicológicas relacionadas con la masculinidad, utilizando un enfoque descriptivo, cualitativo y psicodramático. RESULTADOS Y DISCUSIÓN: Mediante el psicodrama bipersonal, fue posible conocer las conservaciones culturales asociadas al rol del hombre y cómo estas influían en una masculinidad dividida entre estereotipos y la manifestación o no de vulnerabilidades. CONCLUSIONES: En este sentido, el psicodrama bipersonal contribuyó como una forma de acceso a respuestas espontáneas en la búsqueda de una masculinidad con menor sufrimiento psicológico.

Men's health care: concept analysis / Cuidado de la salud de los hombres: análisis de concepto / Cuidado da saúde de homens: análise de conceito

Objective. To analyze the concept of men's health care and identify its essential, antecedent and consequent attributes in the health context. Methods. This is a concept analysis structured in the theoretical-methodological framework of the Walker and Avant Model. An integrative review was carried out between May and July 2020, using keywords and descriptors: Men's Care and Health. Results. The concept of men's health care is structured by 240 attributes, 14 categories, 82 antecedents and 159 consequents, from the selection of 26 published manuscripts. The design was evidenced from the dimensions: Intrapersonal, psychological and behavioral related to masculinities, interpersonal, organizational and structural, ecological, ethnoracial, cross-cultural and transpersonal. Conclusion. The concept of men's health care revealed the male specificities regarding the recognition of the place of health care and the daily exercise in the lived experience.

Objetivo. Analizar el concepto de cuidado de la salud de los hombres e identificar sus atributos esenciales, antecedentes y consecuencias en el contexto sanitario. Métodos. Se trata de un análisis conceptual estructurado en el marco teórico y metodológico del Modelo Walker y Avant. Se realizó una revisión integradora, mediante la utilización de palabras clave y descriptoras: Cuidado y Salud del Hombre. Resultados. El concepto de cuidado de la salud de los hombres está estructurado por 240 atributos, 14 categorías, 82 antecedentes y 159 consecuencias, originados en los 26 manuscritos publicados seleccionados. Se evidenció el delineamiento a partir de las dimensiones: Intrapersonal, psicológicas y conductuales relacionadas con las masculinidades, interpersonal, organizacional y estructural, ecológica, étnico-racial, transcultural y transpesonales. Conclusión. El concepto de cuidado de la salud de los hombres reveló las especificidades masculinas en cuanto al reconocimiento del lugar del cuidado de la salud y a su ejercicio cotidiano en la experiencia vivida.

Objetivo. Analisar o conceito do cuidado de saúde de homens e identificar respectivos atributos essenciais, antecedentes e consequentes no contexto sanitário. Métodos.Se trata de uma análise de conceito estruturado no referencial teórico-metodológico do Modelo de Walker e Avant. Se realizou uma revisão integrativa entre o mês de maio a julho de 2020, mediante a utilização de palavras chaves e descritores: Cuidado e Saúde do Homem. Resultados. O conceito de cuidado de saúde de homens está estruturado por 240 atributos, 14 categorias, 82 antecedentes e 159 consequentes, oriundos da seleção de 26 manuscritos publicados. Se evidenciou o delineamento a partir das dimensões: Intrapessoais, psicológicas e comportamentais relativas às masculinidades, interpessoais, organizacionais e estruturais, ecológicas, etnicoraciais, transculturais e transpessoais. Conclusão. O conceito de cuidado de saúde de homens revelou as especificidades masculinas quanto ao reconhecimento do lugar do cuidado de saúde e o seu exercício cotidiano na experiência vivida.

Sexual quality of life following a cancer diagnosis: a qualitative study.

Sexual quality of life (SQoL) challenges are prevalent and persistent for people with a cancer diagnosis. Using a qualitative design, this study investigated the impact of a cancer diagnosis on SQoL in participants (N = 18) with a current or past cancer diagnosis of various sites and severity. Thematic analysis identified three themes: gender attachment, vulnerability, and growth vs. fixed mindset. The theme of gender attachment related to the impact of understanding SQoL based on heteronormative definitions of masculinity and femininity. The second theme of vulnerability suggested that pre-existing relational or personal challenges can amplify the impact of a cancer diagnosis on SQoL. The third theme of growth vs. fixed mindset explored how cognitive flexibility and optimism can support SQoL, while a rigid and pessimistic mindset can exacerbate SQoL challenges. The findings of this study build on the traditional medical understanding of SQoL and can inform SQoL support in cancer care settings.

Damaged Masculinity: How Honor Endorsement Can Influence Prostate Cancer Screening Decision-Making and Prostate Cancer Mortality Rates.

Prior research has established factors that contribute to the likelihood that men seek out prostate cancer screenings. The current study addresses how endorsing the ideology found in cultures of honor may serve as a barrier to prostate cancer screenings. Two studies were conducted which analyzed the impact of stigma on men's decisions to seek out prostate cancer screenings (Study 1) as well as how prostate cancer deaths may be higher in the culture of honor regions due to men's reticence to seek out screenings (Study 2). Results suggest that older, honor-endorsing men are less likely to have ever sought out a prostate cancer screening due to screening stigma and that an honor-oriented region (southern and western United States) displays higher rates of prostate cancer death than a non-honor-oriented region (northern United States). These findings suggest that honor may be a cultural framework to consider when practitioners address patients' screening-related concerns.

Discussion and Optimization of the Male Breast Cancer Patient Experience.

Breast cancer in men is rare and often overlooked as there is a misconception that it is a gendered disease that affects women only. The feminization, or "pinkification," of the disease has been socially constructed to raise awareness, improve screening, and empower women but has not addressed the occurrence of the illness in men. Men may therefore experience unique psychosocial difficulties when faced with a disease that predominantly affects women, including feelings of disbelief and embarrassment that impact their sense of self and challenge their masculinity. The lack of mammographic screening in men, lack of public awareness, and the shame that develops during the time of diagnosis can result in treatment avoidant behaviors, a delayed presentation, and worse prognosis in men. Although male breast cancer (MBC) is uncommon, the incidence is increasing; therefore, efforts should be made to enhance education for health care professionals and the general public in order to lessen the stigma, with the goal of improving outcomes. Furthermore, special attention to the unique medical needs and hurdles encountered by transgender males can break down health care barriers in this marginalized patient population. This article offers male perceptions on breast cancer, the psychosocial implications of being diagnosed with a gendered disease, and suggestions on how to improve the MBC experience.