ABSTRACT
This chapter describes pathways that specifically draw upon religion/spirituality and masculinity as paths to positive outcomes for men’s health and wellbeing. It presents a conceptual model and also describes variables of the model. It offers conceptual models as a foundation for conceptualizing the various pathways to men’s health when considering men’s religiosity/spirituality and masculinity. The chapter suggests that men’s experiences and lives do not fit exactly into these models, and that what is causative of the problems men have or present in counseling is oftentimes multidetermined and not about religious or masculinity issues. Religious beliefs can have a negative effect or positive effect on men’s health, often depending on one’s image of God and relationship with God. However, religious behaviors, for the most part, will have a positive effect. Spirituality, or being a spiritual person, is likely to have a positive effect on wellbeing. Masculinity ideology refers to beliefs about how men are, or how men are supposed to be.
