Jenny
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 Posted: 03/22/07 - 04:03 Post subject: Tough guys heal faster from injuries |
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A small study of 50 men who suffered brain and spinal cord injuries showed that man-of-steel mentality would rather speed recovery process than put barriers to health and recovery as it was believed before.
Man-of-steel could be defined as the stereotypical “tough guy” who rarely asks for help and never shows signs of weakness. They are usually associated with military and other high-risk occupations.
Men have always been known for not being concerned and about their health. The study results showed that the same ideas that led to their injuries could have encouraged their recovery.
Team of experts examined a group of middle-aged rural white men who had experienced traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. The study participants were supposed to complete questionnaires about their masculine norms, such as physical strength, sexual performance, independence and successful career achievement and answer how attached they were to rigid gender roles.
Those men who believed that it was good to hold in their emotions, be self-reliant and have power over women had had problems with seeking psychological help. Such attitude was believed to be detrimental to already injured men.
On the other hand, men who focused on their careers, success, power and competition reported better relations in their community and showed greater improvement a year after their hospitalization.
Resistance to psychological help was really what concerned the scientists. They are trying to encourage psychotherapy and men's masculine tendency to seek success but discourage them from believing it's appropriate to exert power over women. |
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