Men’s Adjustment to Spinal Cord Injury: The Unique Contributions of Conformity to Masculine Gender Norms

Abstract

Men constitute 82% of the approximately 250,000 people in the United States living with a spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, however, little is known about the impact of men's adherence to gender norms on their adjustment to such injuries. The present investigation examined the utility of masculine norms in explaining variance in depression beyond that accounted for by commonly identified predictors of men's adjustment following spinal cord injury. As hypothesized, results suggested that men's adherence to masculine norms accounted for unique variance in their depression scores beyond that contributed by social support, environmental barriers/access, and erectile functioning. Respondents who adhered to norms stressing the primacy of men's work demonstrated lower rates of depression, whereas those who conformed to norms for self-reliance demonstrated higher depression scores. The authors discuss future research directions and potential psychotherapeutic strategies for working with men with spinal cord injuries.

Masculinity lost: a systematic review of qualitative research on men with spinal cord injury

“…The findings are consistent with the limited quantitative data that indicates that grappling with altered gendered identity is a feature of life after SCI, which warrants explicit consideration. 5,14,22,52,53 It adds depth to an already existing body of knowledge, elucidating the impact of SCI on identity, 43,54,55 and has implications for health-care professionals seeking to understand individual responses to SCI and to self-management of health during and following rehabilitation. 'that kinda take a little piece of your manhood' 47 'I started thinking about my sexuality from the first moments after my accident.…”

“…Although identity dilemmas may constitute the central issue for those rebuilding lives after injury, 43,54,55,93 alterations in self-identity and a focus on body esteem do not fit easily with demands for achievable, time constrained goals and the pursuit of measurable rehabilitation outcomes. As men's adjustment to SCI is increasingly understood to be mediated by conceptions of masculinity, 14,52,53 it is important to seek a deeper understanding of how multiple masculinities are lived out and how versions other than constraining, conventional ones may be promoted and fostered.…”

“…70 Although there is much discussion of the potentially negative impact of masculine socialisation, some aspects of traditional masculinities have been linked to good outcomes. 14,52,53 Rehabilitation may be a crucial time for men as illness can provoke an altered relationship with the self. 69,70 Although men may have less self/body awareness than women in times of health, many are keen to maintain and become experts in times of ill-health.…”

Disability, sport and men's narratives of health: A qualitative study.

“…Yet, sustaining a SCI is gendered and a major risk to health. Relative to women, men are four times more likely to sustain a SCI, and constitute 82% of those that do (Burns et al, 2010). Further, those that suffer a SCI are at a Running head: DISABLED MEN'S UNDERSTANDINGS OF HEALTH…”

“…Second, examining disabled men's narratives of health is also significant and timely as we have very little empirical knowledge on men, SCI, sport, and disability in the context of health (Burns, Hough, Boyd, & Hill, 2010;Robertson, 2004). Yet, sustaining a SCI is gendered and a major risk to health.…”