In response to calls for much needed research on the relation between gender role conflict and therapy or counselling this study examined the relation between gender role conflict and the types of therapy that men prefer for the treatment of depression, comparing men scoring high and low on the gender role conflict scale. The study also examined whether exposure of men reporting high or low gender role conflict to either emotion-focused or thought-focused therapy through the use of a counselling video influences subsequent preference for type of therapy, and the role of coping as a mediator in the relationship between gender role conflict and therapy preference. Furthermore, the study examined traditional men’s perspectives on therapy focussing in particular on issues inherent in living with the experience of depression: coping with depression, seeking help for depression, and the barriers to seeking help. The central aim of the thesis was to examine how to make psychological services more appealing to men who have experienced depression. Overall the current research revealed insights into men’s experience of depression, their therapy preferences, their coping strategies, the physical and psychosocial barriers that deter them from seeking help, and many practical suggestions for possible interventions to help men cross the barriers and open up. It is concluded that understanding the traditional men, their socialisation and its impact on depression, on the man’s help-seeking behaviour and attitudes, is certainly needed to assist in meeting the needs of men and to influence the transformation of traditional men. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Normative Male Alexithymia (NMA; Levant 1992) and Gender Role Conflict (GRC; O’Neil, 2008) have emerged in the literature as empirically supported masculinity-based constructs that could be possible predictors of men’s psychological well-being. Moreover, several researchers examined the impact of masculinity in the contexts of men’s romantic relationships. Yet, there exists a paucity of research that investigates the intersection of the GRC, NMA, and men’s friendships, and psychological well-being of men. The purpose of this study was to examine the triadic relationship of GRC, NMA, and men’s friendships with other men; and the impact of this triadic relationship on men’s psychological well-being. The researcher collected survey data from 216 participants who identified as male. Data collection included responses to demographic questionnaires, Normative Male Alexithymia Scale (NMAS; Levant et al., 2006), Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS; O'Neil et al, 1986), Network of Relationships Questionnaire- Relationship Qualities Version (NRI-RQV; Buhrmester, 1992; Buhrmester & Furman, 2008), and the scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB; Ryff, 1989). Bivariate correlations revealed significant correlations among all four variables. NMAS scores yielded a small positive correlation (Cohen, 1988) with the NRI-RQV discordant scales scores (r = .202, p < .01), and a moderate negative correlation (Cohen, 1988) with the total full scale scores of PWB (r = -.427, p < .01). NRI-RQV discordant had a strong negative correlation (Cohen, 1988) with total scores of PWB (r = -.517, n = 216, p < .01). GRCS had a small negative correlation (Cohen, 1988) with the total scores of PWB full scales (r = -.166, n = 216, p < .05). The moderation analysis indicated that GRC significantly moderated the effect of NMA on men’s PWB scores (∆R² = .073, F (1,212) = 20.795, p < .001). High levels of NMA and friendship discords factored in as the best predictor of men’s PWB, and accounted for the 37% variation in overall PWB scores with an effect size of f² = .60. Clinical implications for mental health counselors are discussed based on the study’s results; limitations of the study and future directions are provided.

The purpose of the study was to explore the statistical relationships among selected variables related to gay divorced fathers in order to develop a better understanding of their gender role conflict and help-seeking behaviors. Participants (N=105) self-identified as Caucasian (91%), resided in the United States (90%), holding a bachelor's degree or higher (80%), and annual incomes of less than $80,000 (52%). The men ranged in age from 29 to 78 (M= 54), married from 1 to 38 years (M= 18), and divorced from 5 months to just under 37 years (M= 10). Participants completed an on-line questionnaire that included (a) Gender Role Conflict Scale, (b) Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale, (c) Intentions to Seeking Counseling Inventory, (d) Hopkins Symptom Checklist, (e) two open-ended prompts, and (f) demographic questions. Participants who had received mental health services in the past were asked to report on what prompted them to seek services and the helpfulness of those services. Analysis of Pearson r was used to answer each of the research questions related to (a) GRC and psychological distress (positive correlation); (b) GRC and attitudes and intentions towards seeking psychological help (negative correlation); and (c) years married and psychological distress (negative correlation). Significance was not identified between time since divorce and any other variable. Over 80% of the participants had used mental health services with the three main reasons being coming-out, depression, and sexual identity. The most beneficial resources they had available to them and/or they would recommend to others were support groups, counseling/therapy, and general support. Findings are limited by a lack of cultural and ethnic diversity among the sample. Implications include using group counseling methods and/or a coaching model for service delivery. An informed integrated approach that focuses on systems, role development, and strategic thinking is recommended. Interventions should include depression and suicide assessments, brief solution focused methods, narrative work, social networking, and community resource guides. Future research should seek to determine between group differences with regards to the impact GRC has on one's ability to adjust to change, establish and maintain relationships, and willingness to seek help. / Ph. D.

It has been established that there is a deficit of research on the pastoral care of couples struggling with GRC (gender-role conflict). The focus of the study was to provide guidelines for the pastoral counsellor, so that he/she can apply effective marriage counselling to couples struggling with GRC. This is achieved by using Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology, namely: * The descriptive-empirical task – What is going on? * The interpretive task – Why is this going on? * The normative task – What ought to be going on? * The pragmatic task – How might we respond? The first task has been approached through empirical research with the aim to get an understanding of the participants’ experience regarding GRC in their marriages as well as their view of GRC. The empirical research was conducted by a qualitative research method using questionnaires (containing short and long questions) given to participants to answer. With the execution of this research, several aspects were identified that deserve further attention for the implementation of this study, namely: GRC result from a person’s involvement (or lack thereof) in a particular case, people’s reasons for the same GRC differ because of their experience of it, men and women experience GRC differently, people’s careers can be a determining factor of GRC, finance is the biggest GRC that people struggle with, people’s age and age differences may be linked to their experience of GRC and people are influenced by their parents. The second task has been approached through research especially in psychology, sociology and anthropology with the objective to further understand the issues that were raised in the previous chapter. Each of these issues are identified as a possible cause of GRC and discussed through various theories and research. The third task has been approached through exegesis of four pericopes with the aim to gain insight in connection with the Scripture’s perspective regarding the marriage relationship. A selection of 16 steps of Janse van Rensburg’s steps in conceiving a sermon is used to carry out the exegesis. The pericopes used for exegesis is the following: Genesis 1:26-31, 1 Corinthians 11:8-12, Galatians 3:26-29 and Ephesians 5:21-33. The fourth task has been approached by referring to certain counselling skills and guidelines with the aim to provide guidance in the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. All research done eventually leads to the point where certain strategies can be suggested for the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. The central theoretical argument of this study is partly met by acquiring an understanding of GRC, focusing on spiritual growth and ultimately making recommendations for effective pastoral counselling to couples, so that they can be guided to a better Christ-centered marriage. / MA (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

It has been established that there is a deficit of research on the pastoral care of couples struggling with GRC (gender-role conflict). The focus of the study was to provide guidelines for the pastoral counsellor, so that he/she can apply effective marriage counselling to couples struggling with GRC. This is achieved by using Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology, namely: * The descriptive-empirical task – What is going on? * The interpretive task – Why is this going on? * The normative task – What ought to be going on? * The pragmatic task – How might we respond? The first task has been approached through empirical research with the aim to get an understanding of the participants’ experience regarding GRC in their marriages as well as their view of GRC. The empirical research was conducted by a qualitative research method using questionnaires (containing short and long questions) given to participants to answer. With the execution of this research, several aspects were identified that deserve further attention for the implementation of this study, namely: GRC result from a person’s involvement (or lack thereof) in a particular case, people’s reasons for the same GRC differ because of their experience of it, men and women experience GRC differently, people’s careers can be a determining factor of GRC, finance is the biggest GRC that people struggle with, people’s age and age differences may be linked to their experience of GRC and people are influenced by their parents. The second task has been approached through research especially in psychology, sociology and anthropology with the objective to further understand the issues that were raised in the previous chapter. Each of these issues are identified as a possible cause of GRC and discussed through various theories and research. The third task has been approached through exegesis of four pericopes with the aim to gain insight in connection with the Scripture’s perspective regarding the marriage relationship. A selection of 16 steps of Janse van Rensburg’s steps in conceiving a sermon is used to carry out the exegesis. The pericopes used for exegesis is the following: Genesis 1:26-31, 1 Corinthians 11:8-12, Galatians 3:26-29 and Ephesians 5:21-33. The fourth task has been approached by referring to certain counselling skills and guidelines with the aim to provide guidance in the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. All research done eventually leads to the point where certain strategies can be suggested for the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. The central theoretical argument of this study is partly met by acquiring an understanding of GRC, focusing on spiritual growth and ultimately making recommendations for effective pastoral counselling to couples, so that they can be guided to a better Christ-centered marriage. / MA (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The post-apartheid government of the Republic of South Africa implemented new policies to promote equality in the workplace, in terms of both race and gender. As a result, more women are entering the labour market and working as bus drivers; an environment that is highly dominated by men. However, since occupations are historically sex-segregated, the bus driving industry is dominated by men. This set of circumstances therefore challenge women who choose bus driving as a career, for it is regarded as a male profession. This study focuses on one aspect of public transport in South Africa, with a specific focus on female bus drivers. The aim of the research is to explore the experiences of female bus drivers in Tshwane, South Africa in terms of how they deal with the challenges they are faced within the industry. The primary concern of the study is on the impact of their chosen career on their general well-being which is described as workplace relationships, occupational health and family-work balance. It further looks at the driving forces behind these women‘s choice to join the bus industry. Since women were traditionally based in the private sphere (family), the study then looks at how these women have adjusted to the working environment outside of their homes. Moreover, it looks at the relationships these women have with their managers, colleagues and passengers. A total number of sixteen female bus drivers participated in the study. Findings show that the incorporation of women in the bus driving industry has been a challenging one. It has been challenging especially for women as they are prejudged by the majority of people as being incapable of operating buses and as a result, they are faced with hostility. Some of the factors contributing to hostility towards female bus drivers are cultural beliefs, unemployment, competition and age differences. There are also other factors that influenced a shift over time from a negative perception to a more positive perception of female bus drivers over time such as female drivers‘ abilities and capabilities to drive. Due to the working conditions of bus drivers, female bus drivers reported having psychological, sleeping and muscular-skeletal problems. Additionally, balancing work and family life has proven to be difficult for many female bus drivers. / Dissertation (MSocSci)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Sociology / unrestricted

No description available.

This study investigated two aspects of masculine gender role strain—gender role conflict and gender role stress—and their relationship to religious orientation, spiritual well-being, and sex-role egalitarianism among Latter-day Saint (LDS or Mormon) men. To investigate these variables, a sample of 201 LDS undergraduate men who were predominantly White/Caucasian and single completed the Gender Role Conflict Scale, Masculine Gender Role Stress Scale, Intrinsic/Extrinsic Religious Orientation Scale-Revised, Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and the Sex-Role Egalitarianism Scale. As predicted, LDS men who reported higher levels of religiosity and spiritual well-being reported lower levels of gender role strain. This study also found that participants who reported more egalitarian sex-role attitudes reported lower levels of gender role strain. Separate stepwise regression analyses found that, of the five predictor variables (intrinsic religiosity, extrinsic religiosity, existential well-being, religious well-being, and sex-role egalitarianism), existential well-being and sex-role egalitarianism were the strongest predictors of variance in gender role conflict and gender role stress. The discussion focuses on explanations of significant findings, limitations, directions for future research, and implications for clinical practice.

No description available.

Men experience high rates of negative health outcomes and often have difficulty identifying and seeking support for their issues. Traditional masculine socialization has been identified as a potential determinant of this effect, as masculine ideals often conflict with prosocial help-seeking behaviors. Men who experience this sort of socialization need better support for their mental health and are less likely to seek it out in a professional setting. Therefore, other models of support, like social support, should be investigated. Additionally, factors that impact the way that men perceive social support should be explored, one of which may be self-compassion. The current study examined the ways in which men who adhere to traditional masculine norms perceive social support and if that can be impacted by self-compassion, both by their own tendency to be compassionate to themselves and by a self-compassion induction. Hypotheses were tested that examined the associations among these constructs and any moderating effects that may be present. An online survey was conducted with a sample of 198 men from the US with self-report measures of traditional masculine ideology, gender role conflict, self-compassion, and perceived social support. Next, participants were randomly assigned to a self-compassion induction or control writing task, followed by a perceived social support vignette task in which they rated offered support on its perceived helpfulness. Hypotheses were generally supported—some aspects of masculine socialization were negatively associated with self-reported perceived social support. Self-reported self-compassion was not a significant moderator of this effect. However, the self-compassion induction moderated the association between perceived helpfulness in the vignette task and some aspects of masculine socialization—Men who were lower on this aspect of masculine socialization who received the self-compassion induction perceived the social support as less helpful than those who received the control. However, when this aspect was high, participants who received the induction perceived the support as more helpful. Furthermore, gender role conflict was positively associated with perceived helpfulness. These findings illustrate the complexity involved in understanding the role of masculine socialization in how men may engage with their environment and ultimately how they might improve their mental health outcomes.