Men's Groups as Catalysts for Change: Exploring the Interpersonal Process of Redefining Masculinity
Men's Groups as Catalysts for Change: Exploring the Interpersonal Process of Redefining Masculinity
Project Summary
Boys’ and men’s adherence to masculine social norms has been well-documented as a risk factor for negative psychological, physical, interpersonal, and societal outcomes (American Psychological Association, 2018). Despite calls for interventions to engage boys and men in prevention and social change (APA, 2018; Courtenay, 1998; Kivel, 1998), there remains a lack of research focusing on what is likely to make interventions successful. Situated in theoretical frameworks that center interpersonal relationships (Miller, 1976; Vandello & Bosson, 2013), this study explores the subjective experiences of men who participated in a 10-week men’s group focused on healthy masculinities (A Call to Men, n.d.).
Approach
A community-based participatory approach guided the design and planning of this study. A qualitative descriptive analytic approach (Sandelowski, 2000) is applied in this study in order to develop an understanding of how men understand and describe their experience in the men’s group, how it translates into action in other parts of their lives, and how the interpersonal group process played a role in shaping these experiences.
Measurement & Metrics
Semi-structured individual interviews.
Principal Investigator
Michael Di Bianca
Contact:
James Mahalik
Professor, CDEP