Measuring masculinity in the context of chronic disease
Journal article
Chambers, Suzanne K., Hyde, Melissa K., Oliffe, John L., Zajdlewicz, Leah, Lowe, Anthony, Wootten, Addie C. and Dunn, Jeff. (2016). Measuring masculinity in the context of chronic disease. Psychology of Men and Masculinity. 17(3), pp. 228-242. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000018
Authors | Chambers, Suzanne K., Hyde, Melissa K., Oliffe, John L., Zajdlewicz, Leah, Lowe, Anthony, Wootten, Addie C. and Dunn, Jeff |
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Abstract | Masculine beliefs are influential in men’s responses to illness; however, current measures of masculinity may not be salient for highly prevalent chronic diseases such as prostate cancer. To address this gap, a contextualized measure of masculinity for men with prostate cancer was developed. A novel measure of masculinity, the Masculinity in Chronic Disease Inventory (MCD-I), was developed based on existing qualitative data and tested for acceptability and face validity with 19 men previously treated for prostate cancer. A cross-sectional survey of 403 Australian men with prostate cancer (Mage = 70.34 years; SD = 7.25) then assessed convergent, divergent, and discriminant validity for the MCD-I using existing reliable and valid measures of masculinity, masculine self-esteem, quality of life, erectile dysfunction, and sexual help seeking. A 6-factor structure for the MCD-I (22 items) was confirmed with good to excellent internal reliabilities (alpha = 0.69–0.92) for the subscale domains of Strength, Sexual Importance/Priority; Family Responsibilities; Emotional Self-Reliance; Optimistic Capacity; and Action Approach. Acceptable convergent and divergent validity was supported, and the MCD-I was also able to discriminate between men with severe versus moderate to mild erectile dysfunction (p = .002) and the Sexual Importance/Priority domain discriminated between men who had sought sexual advice and those who had not (p = .005). A contextual approach to measuring masculinity in men with prostate cancer may help avoid reductionist approaches for focusing on erectile dysfunction in these populations. This also presents a way forward for gender-sensitive psychosocial services and programs for men experiencing prostate cancer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved) |
Keywords | prostate cancer; masculinity; chronic disease; sexual adjustment; help seeking |
Year | 2016 |
Journal | Psychology of Men and Masculinity |
Journal citation | 17 (3), pp. 228-242 |
Publisher | American Psychological Association Inc. |
ISSN | 1524-9220 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000018 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-84946430566 |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 228-242 |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 09 Nov 2015 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 20 Sep 2015 |
Deposited | 18 Nov 2021 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8x15y/measuring-masculinity-in-the-context-of-chronic-disease
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