Possible masculinities: A grounded theory on how university men envision themselves in the future.

Abstract

The present study offers a data-driven theory to explain how university men develop their possible masculinities (i.e., what type of men they could become in terms of what type of masculinities they may actualize in the future) and contributes theory-driven suggestions for counseling interventions for university men. Using a grounded theory method, the envisioning possible masculinities model (EPMM) emerged from analyzing eight focus groups representing 49 university men. The EPMM describes the contextual factors and processes contributing to how university men envision their possible masculinities, and it summarizes two types of possible masculinities (i.e., internal and external). Results expand the understanding of the masculinities of university men, aid in the development of male gender-sensitive counseling interventions grounded within a positive psychology–positive masculinity framework, and improve the current conceptualization of the construct of possible masculinities.