ABSTRACT

Research has consistently documented that men seek help less often than women for a variety of problems in living, including substance abuse, mental illness, and physical problems (see Chapter 1). With regard to physical health, men are more likely than women to have gone at least 2 years since their last contact with a physician, but suffer higher rates of heart disease, cancer, suicide, and substance abuse than do women. Thus, overwhelming evidence suggests that men underuse health services. In a similar vein, men endorse more negative attitudes toward help seeking than do women and are generally less inclined than are women to seek help when they need it. As discussed in previous chapters, men’s disinclination to seek help puts them at increased risk for physical and emotional problems, as well as for more severe problems when they do receive help.