Psychology

Male gender role conflict and patterns of help seeking in Costa Rica and the United States

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between male gender role conflict (J. M. O'Neil, 1981) and willingness to seek help for depression and substance abuse from a variety of potential helpers in a sample of U.S. and Costa Rican men. Results revealed variability in men's willingness to seek help across both culture and type of helper. Restrictive emotionality and restrictive affectionate behavior between men were related to decreased willingness to seek help from several helpers, whereas success, power, and competition were positively related to help-seeking ratings for some targets (Internet, mothers) and negatively related to ratings for male friends. These results suggest that the relationship between masculine gender socialization and help-seeking behaviors may depend on a variety of factors surrounding different problems and help-seeking opportunities. Copyright 2005 by the Educational Publishing Foundation.

Publication Title

Psychology of Men and Masculinity

Publication Date

2005

Volume

6

Issue

3

First Page

155

Last Page

168

ISSN

1524-9220

DOI

10.1037/1524-9220.6.3.155

Keywords

gender roles, help seeking, masculinity

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