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Heliyon Apr 2024Research highlights a discrepancy between the number of men experiencing mental illness and those seeking professional help, particularly for anxiety. Conformity to...
Research highlights a discrepancy between the number of men experiencing mental illness and those seeking professional help, particularly for anxiety. Conformity to masculine norms (CMN) and gender role conflict (GRC) have been recognised as barriers to men's mental health help-seeking, but few studies have examined these relationships for anxiety. This study aimed to examine the relationship between anxiety severity and help-seeking intentions in Australian men, and the additional impact of CMN and GRC. A total of 610 Australians aged 18-89 years ( = 46.02, = 17.14) participated in an online survey, which included demographic information and four standardised questionnaires measuring anxiety, help-seeking intentions, CMN, and GRC. CMN but not GRC was found to fully mediate the relationship between anxiety severity and anxiety-related help-seeking intentions. The results have theoretical implications for the study of masculinity and clinical implications for therapeutic approaches for men with anxiety symptoms.
PubMed: 38633657
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29114 -
Scientific Data Apr 2024The Towards Gender Harmony (TGH) project began in September 2018 with over 160 scholars who formed an international consortium to collect data from 62 countries across...
The Towards Gender Harmony (TGH) project began in September 2018 with over 160 scholars who formed an international consortium to collect data from 62 countries across six continents. Our overarching goal was to analyze contemporary perceptions of masculinity and femininity using quantitative and qualitative methods, marking a groundbreaking effort in social science research. The data collection took place between January 2018 and February 2020, and involved undergraduate students who completed a series of randomized scales and the data was collected through the SurveyMonkey or Qualtrics platforms, with paper surveys being used in rare cases. All the measures used in the project were translated into 22 languages. The dataset contains 33,313 observations and 286 variables, including contemporary measures of gendered self-views, attitudes, and stereotypes, as well as relevant demographic data. The TGH dataset, linked with accessible country-level data, provides valuable insights into the dynamics of gender relations worldwide, allowing for multilevel analyses and examination of how gendered self-views and attitudes are linked to behavioral intentions and demographic variables.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Attitude; Femininity; Masculinity; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Stereotyping; Gender Role; Self Concept
PubMed: 38632293
DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03235-x -
International Journal of Surgery Case... May 2024De la Chapelle Syndrome, also known as 46 XX disorders, is a genetic condition that affects sexual development and presents challenges, in physical, hormonal, and...
INTRODUCTION
De la Chapelle Syndrome, also known as 46 XX disorders, is a genetic condition that affects sexual development and presents challenges, in physical, hormonal, and genetic aspects.
CASE PRESENTATION
This case study explores a 42-year man with de la Chapelle Syndrome who experienced primary subfertility for eight years. The patient demonstrated delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics, shrinking testes and sparse hair distribution. A team comprising fertility specialists, uro surgeons, endocrinologists and genetic counselors collaborated to develop an approach. Based on the patients 46 XX karyotype without sex-determining region Y gene mutation assisted reproduction using donor sperm was chosen as the option. The report delves into the genetics of both sex-determining region Y gene positive and sex-determining region Y gene negative cases while emphasizing the significance of conducting thorough evaluations for issues related to sexual differentiation.
DISCUSSION
Management strategies encompass an approach tailored to factors such as age, fertility desires and level of virilization exhibited by the patient. Surgical interventions, hormone treatments and psychological support all play roles in the management. Limited fertility treatment options are available for cases involving XX syndrome with testes such as intrauterine insemination using donor sperm and assisted reproduction with donor sperm. This case underscores the difficulties associated with delayed diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
Highlights the importance of adopting an approach that addresses fertility concerns along with endocrine issues and psychological support when managing de la Chapelle Syndrome.
PubMed: 38614065
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109630 -
Social Science & Medicine (1982) May 2024Breast 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...
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.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Mali; Qualitative Research; Adult; Middle Aged; Gender Identity; Body Image; Masculinity
PubMed: 38608482
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116874 -
American Journal of Men's Health 2024Gender-responsive healthcare is critical to advancing men's health given that masculinities intersect with other social determinants to impact help-seeking, engagement... (Review)
Review
Gender-responsive healthcare is critical to advancing men's health given that masculinities intersect with other social determinants to impact help-seeking, engagement with primary healthcare, and patient outcomes. A scoping review was undertaken with the aim to synthesize gender-responsive approaches used by healthcare providers (HCPs) to engage men with primary healthcare. MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched for articles published between 2000 and February 2024. Titles and abstracts for 15,659 citations were reviewed, and 97 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and analyzed thematically. Thirty-three approaches were synthesized from across counseling/psychology, general practice, social work, nursing, psychiatry, pharmacy, and unspecified primary healthcare settings. These were organized into three interrelated themes: (a) tailoring communication to reach men; (b) purposefully structuring treatment to meet men's health needs, and (c) centering the therapeutic alliance to retain men in care. Strength-based and asset-building approaches focused on reading and responding to a diversity of masculinities was reinforced across the three findings. While these approaches are recommended for the judicious integration into health practitioner education and practice, this review highlighted that the evidence remains underdeveloped, particularly for men who experience health inequities. Critical priorities for further research include intersectional considerations and operationalizing gender-responsive healthcare approaches for men and its outcomes, particularly at first point-of-contact encounters.
Topics: Male; Humans; Masculinity; Men's Health; Communication; Health Personnel; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 38606788
DOI: 10.1177/15579883241241090 -
Atencion Primaria Apr 2024To find out the motivations of adolescents for alcohol consumption.
OBJECTIVE
To find out the motivations of adolescents for alcohol consumption.
DESIGN
Qualitative methodology with discussion groups.
PARTICIPANTS AND CONTEXT
131 adolescents (15-17 years old) enrolled in nine schools in Tarragona (Spain).
METHOD
Systematic coding strategy, adapted to focus groups. Educational centers were selected through a stratified purposive sampling by educational levels (segmentation criterion) and ownership of the center (public or private). Participants within the educational levels were randomly selected for the groups. Content analysis was conducted using an open and flexible coding strategy.
RESULTS
Motivations for alcohol consumption were identified, revolving around six fundamental dimensions: a) seeking fun and new sensations, b) alleviating discomfort, c) consumption due to social contagion and group pressure, d) consumption as a rite of passage into adulthood, e) environmental availability of alcohol, and f) low perception of risk. This motivation varied according to the adolescent's gender. In girls, drinking behavior appeared related to overcoming negative emotional states, while for boys, belonging to the peer group took precedence: drinking reinforces hegemonic masculinity and ensures complicity among peers. Adolescents considered that the information they receive from educational centers is sufficient, but it does not motivate change.
CONCLUSIONS
Public health strategies focused on preventing alcohol consumption in adolescents should incorporate their motivations to achieve greater efficiency, paying due attention to sex/gender variables.
PubMed: 38603940
DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2024.102931 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024This study examined how certain sports are represented as masculine or feminine in Saudi adolescents, namely, which sports adolescents associate with males and which...
INTRODUCTION
This study examined how certain sports are represented as masculine or feminine in Saudi adolescents, namely, which sports adolescents associate with males and which sports they associate with females. Previous research aligned with this concern was conducted within Western culture; however, there is a need to shed light on how the issues of social representation of masculine and feminine sports affect other cultures such as Middle Eastern cultures.
METHODS
A survey was completed by 280 Saudi adolescents, aged between 12 and 17 ( = 13.5, = 1.3). The survey contained open-ended recall questions that asked participants to name three masculine, feminine, and natural sports.
RESULTS
Most participants were familiar with using feminine and masculine terminology to describe sports, and nearly half had personally used gendered terms to describe sports. Overall, the participants generated 2,195 names of various sports, with the majority classified as natural (appropriate for both men and women), many masculine, and the fewest feminine.
DISCUSSION
The connection between specific sports and masculinity or femininity can restrict the activities of adolescents who do not conform to traditional gender roles. Also, adolescents who are interested in sports that are not typically associated with their gender may experience social stigma or exclusion, which can discourage their participation. Therefore, it is important to establish inclusive environments in sports, regardless of the gender.
PubMed: 38596325
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1337157 -
Giant Bilateral Adrenal Myelolipomas in a Non-Compliant Patient with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.The American Journal of Case Reports Apr 2024BACKGROUND 21-hydroxylase deficiency, an essential enzyme for glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis, is the cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in...
BACKGROUND 21-hydroxylase deficiency, an essential enzyme for glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis, is the cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in more than 95% of cases. It is an autosomal recessive disorder encoded by the CYP21A2 gene, categorized into classical forms, which encompass the salt-wasting (SW) and simple virilizing (SV) forms, as well as the nonclassical form (NC). The aim of medical treatment is to replace missing glucocorticoids and, if necessary, mineralocorticoids, while also reducing elevated adrenal androgens. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 42-year-old woman with CAH who discontinued therapy during adolescence and was admitted to hospital with fatigue, nausea, and severe abdominal pain. A CT scan showed an extreme enlargement of the adrenal glands. Laboratory tests revealed elevated levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone and other adrenal androgens, along with normal plasma metanephrine levels. Decreased morning cortisol levels suggested partial adrenal insufficiency requiring glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Due to the development of several serious complications and clinical deterioration, the multidisciplinary team recommended bilateral removal of masses measuring 300×250×200 mm on the right side and 250×200×200 mm on the left side. Histological and immunochemical examination confirmed the presence of giant myelolipomas with adrenal cortex hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS Adrenal tumors, particularly myelolipomas, have a higher prevalence in patients with CAH. Our case report provides further evidence of the suspected link between non-compliant CAH therapy and the development of myelolipomas, along with promotion of their pronounced growth.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenal Glands; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; Glucocorticoids; Lipoma; Myelolipoma; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase
PubMed: 38582958
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943005 -
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive &... May 2024The increasing number of esthetic procedures emphasizes the need for effective evaluation methods of outcomes. Current practices include the individual practitioners'... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
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.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Beauty; Esthetics; Face; Photography; Masculinity; Femininity; Young Adult; Adolescent; Middle Aged; Lip; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38582052
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.03.012 -
American Journal of Men's Health 2024Mental ill-health and suicide represent a significant proportion of the burden of global disease among men. Connell's relational theory of masculinities provides a... (Review)
Review
Mental ill-health and suicide represent a significant proportion of the burden of global disease among men. Connell's relational theory of masculinities provides a useful framework to explore how mental health literacy, mental health stigma, and delayed help-seeking and help-offering behaviors are associated with mental ill-health among men, particularly within male-dominated industries. To address the high incidences of mental ill-health in male-dominated industries, several workplace interventions targeting these outcomes have been implemented. No review to date has examined the current state of evidence for these interventions or identified the behavior change techniques used. This review was restricted to empirical, quantitative research reporting on psychosocial interventions targeting mental health literacy, stigma, and help-seeking and help-offering behaviors in male-dominated industries. Quality appraisal was completed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project and a narrative synthesis was conducted. Twelve articles were included for review which reported on four distinct interventions. The methodological quality of two articles was strong, three moderate and seven weak. The strongest evidence of intervention effects related to mental health literacy and help-seeking intentions. There was less evidence relating to help-offering and help-seeking behaviors and mental health stigma. Sixteen behavior change techniques were identified across interventions that are discussed in relation to the wider men's health literature. The evidence on psychosocial interventions in male-dominated industries is limited due to methodological and conceptual issues. Recommendations for future research include standardized reporting of intervention descriptions, the use of theory to guide intervention development, and utilizing validated and reliable outcome measures.
Topics: Humans; Male; Mental Health; Health Literacy; Workplace; Social Stigma; Masculinity; Help-Seeking Behavior
PubMed: 38581228
DOI: 10.1177/15579883241236223