Examples Of Positive Psychology And Positive Masculinity

Positive Psychology and Positive Masculinity: A Strengths-Based Framework for Addressing Masculinity, Gender Role Socialization, and Men’s Gender Role Conflict
Researchers in the field of men and masculinity question how well our existing approaches and theoretical frameworks inform interventions that enhance interpersonal functioning, increase help seeking behaviors, and encourage strengths-based approaches to enhance the physical and mental health of men (Addis & Mahalik, 2003). Variables that influence how men perceive their ability to control and monitor their own mental health ultimately influence how health care providers and counselors approach these sensitive topics. Additionally, decades of research about the saliency of men’s gender

Many counselors have limited training in men’s issues and have relatively no training in men’s health-related issues. Research indicates clinicians feel uncomfortable discussing the most relevant men’s health related concerns with their clients like erectile dysfunction, sexually transmitted diseases, benign hypertrophy of the prostate and prostatitis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, lung cancer, and accidental trauma and injuries (Neukrug et al., 2012). Previous counseling models were created to attract men and keep them engaged in counseling, as well as to effectively communicate with health care professionals. Some of the techniques described include: 1) reframing the counseling service to conceptualize it as a learning process 2) to use a male-friendly counseling model which validates a man’s understanding of his gender identity, 3) to have men talk with men and promote group activities and social support structures, and 4) to help men navigate help seeking and counseling in hopes of easing frustration, worry and fear of mental health and medical services (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; McKelley & Rochlen,

Dr. Jim O’Neil’s historic issue of TCP described how men’s psychological problems are related to masculine gender role conflicts. It was further hypothesized that men are oppressed by rigid gender role socialization processes that limit them from being fully functioning human beings (O’Neil, 1981a). More than 230 studies have been completed using the Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS; O’Neil, Helms, Gable, David, & Wrightsman, 1986), and more attention is being directed to men and the so-called “crisis” in men’s health (Gough, 2006). However, little is known about how men’s gender roles relate to depression, anxiety, violence, suicide, poor health care, homophobia, academic failure, bullying, racial and ethnic oppression, and dysfunctional relations with women, men, and children (O’Neil,