Men consistently underutilize formal mental health services due to masculinity norms that frame help-seeking as incompatible with masculine identity. This opinion piece proposes the gateway mechanism as a theoretical framework for understanding why music-based interventions may be particularly effective for reaching men who resist conventional services. The gateway mechanism is defined as the process by which a masculinity-congruent, non-clinical activity may create the psychological safety, relational trust, and reduced self-stigma through which men gradually move toward emotional disclosure and eventual help-seeking. Masculinity-congruent refers to activities and framings aligned with values men associate with masculine identity, including competence, agency, and camaraderie, rather than vulnerability or therapeutic dependency. The framework specifies four sequential stages: initial engagement through intrinsic musical appeal; development of psychological safety; emotional expression through and about music; and disclosure and help-seeking that would not otherwise have occurred. It draws on help-seeking theory, self-stigma frameworks, gender role strain theory, and psychological safety literature. Converging evidence from veteran music therapy programs, the Men’s Sheds literature, and culturally specific music therapy research supports the framework’s predictions. Alternative mechanisms, including the possibility that music functions primarily as a hook into protective social processes such as peer support, camaraderie, and shared identity, are acknowledged. The gateway mechanism is distinguished from health by stealth, gender-sensitive engagement, and sport-as-gateway models by its specification of the sequential psychological process through which musical engagement may produce conditions for emotional opening. Future research should employ longitudinal designs, incorporate masculinity norms instruments, and test three hypotheses arising from the framework of Music as a Gateway to Men’s Mental Health: A Theoretical Framework for Masculinity-Congruent Intervention Keywords: male mental health; music therapy; masculinity norms; help-seeking; gateway mechanism; veterans; community-based intervention.
CP1Hao Decoction (CP1HD) is a traditional Chinese herbal prescription used to treat chronic prostatitis, but the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of CP1HD, particularly those involving arachidonic acid metabolism and gut microbiota, remain unclear. This study evaluated the pharmacological efficacy of CP1HD in a carrageenan-induced rat model of prostatitis and explored its potential targets and pathways through integrated transcriptomics, 16S rRNA sequencing, and metabolomics analyses. CP1HD treatment significantly alleviated prostate histopathological damage, reduced the prostate index, and suppressed inflammatory responses. ELISA results showed that CP1HD markedly decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2, LTB4, and COX-2, while regulating EETs levels, and inhibited M1 macrophage polarization and neutrophil infiltration while promoting M2 polarization. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that CP1HD reversed differentially expressed genes associated with inflammation and arachidonic acid metabolism, which was further confirmed by Western blot analysis of cPLA2, LTA4H, and sEH. In addition, CP1HD modulated gut microbiota composition by restoring the relative abundance of Bacteroides , Alistipes , and the Eubacterium_siraeum group . Metabolomic profiling demonstrated that CP1HD regulated arachidonic acid metabolism and related lipid mediators, with notable effects on phosphatidylethanolamine metabolism and fatty acid β-oxidation. Overall, CP1HD ameliorates prostatitis by reducing inflammation and prostate injury while modulating arachidonic acid metabolism, gut microbiota, and associated metabolic pathways.
The 2017 Mental Health Act in the Philippines sought to enhance integrated care; nevertheless, rural regions continue to lack sufficient resources. This study aimed to examine the mental health of low-income Filipino men aged 18 years and over residing in rural areas of the Philippines and explore the relationship between their mental health status and lifestyle and self-care behaviors. A convenience sample of 426 men completed a cross-sectional survey capturing sociodemographics, depression and anxiety, psychological distress, health-related quality of life, and a range of lifestyle behaviors. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations, t -tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Among 426 rural Filipino men (mean age = 49.3 ± 17.2 years), moderate psychological distress was observed, with 8.2% meeting criteria for depression and 14.8% for anxiety. Distress correlated positively with both depression ( r = .228) and anxiety ( r = .332) and inversely with physical ( r = −.239) and mental quality of life ( r = −.298; all p < .01). Regular exercise and seeing a doctor were linked to lower stress levels, less symptoms of depression, and higher standards of life. On the contrary, using herbs to treat ailments has been linked to more pain and anxiety (all p < .01). The results highlight the importance of integrating community-based mental health promotion with culturally accepted self-care practices. This study provides a foundational framework for increasing mental health care access among Filipino men in rural areas of the Philippines and developing culturally appropriate programs for improving their mental health through culturally accepted self-care practices.
We examined whether women’s perceptions of men’s involvement in family planning—specifically partner approval and joint decision-making about contraception—were associated with perceived couple concordance on the desired number of children in Peru. Using data from the 2019 Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES), we conducted a cross-sectional analysis accounting for survey weights, stratification, and clustering. We fitted survey-weighted generalized linear models (Poisson family with a log link) to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) with design-based (Taylor-linearized) 95% confidence intervals. The analytic sample included 14,956 women: 67.5% were aged 30–49 years and 76.7% lived in urban areas; 96.2% perceived partner approval of family planning and 76.8% reported joint contraceptive decision-making. In adjusted models, partner approval was associated with a higher prevalence of couple concordance (aPR = 1.35; 95% CI = [1.10, 1.62]), and joint decision-making showed a similar association (aPR = 1.14; 95% CI = [1.07, 1.20]). Overall, women’s perceptions of men’s involvement were positively related to concordance in fertility preferences. Programs that promote gender-equitable, couple-centered approaches—such as male-friendly clinic hours, couple counseling, and communication skills training—may strengthen family planning outcomes in Peru.
Body roundness index (BRI), calculated from height and waist circumference, summarizes abdominal body shape and may capture central adiposity not fully described by body mass index. We examined the association between BRI and prevalent erectile dysfunction (ED) among men aged 20 years or older in the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ED was defined using a standardized erectile-function question. Primary analyses incorporated NHANES 4-year mobile examination center weights, strata, and primary sampling units, and analyses involving homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) used 4-year fasting subsample weights. The primary cohort included 3,850 men, of whom 1,024 met the study definition of ED, corresponding to a weighted ED prevalence of 17.8%. After adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors, each 1-unit higher BRI was associated with higher odds of ED (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-1.24). Men in the highest BRI quartile had higher odds of ED than those in the lowest quartile (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.27-2.38). Spline analysis did not support significant nonlinearity (P = .36). In the fasting subsample, each 1-unit higher BRI was associated with a 32% higher geometric mean HOMA-IR. An exploratory statistical decomposition was used to describe the HOMA-IR-related component of the BRI-ED association. Higher BRI was associated with prevalent ED, supporting the clinical relevance of abdominal body shape in men's cardiometabolic and sexual-health assessment.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) knowledge is alarmingly low among Latino/Latinx/Hispanic populations (thereby Latino), and commonly used HCV knowledge scales have not been updated with recent innovations in HCV treatment. Latino men who have sex with men (LMSM) and Latino seasonal farmworkers (LSW) are two groups at the highest risk of HCV. In response, we developed and validated “HEPCA-Lat: Prueba de Conocimientos sobre Hepatitis C para Adultos Latinos,” a bilingual English/Spanish HCV knowledge scale. First, we identified 14 unique HCV scales. Then, experts and community health workers identified 43 items to include in HEPCA-Lat. From 2018 to 2020, we recruited participants from community health organizations in South Florida to complete a cross-sectional questionnaire. We conducted Item-Total Correlation, Principal Component, and reliability (random splits, Cronbach’s alpha, mean inter-item correlation) analyses to develop and validate the final HEPCA-Lat. We used regression analyses to examine associations with HCV knowledge. Of 208 participants, 89 were LMSM and 127 were LSW. Of 43 unweighted items identified for initial inclusion, a correlation threshold of >0.5 was used, and 20 items were retained. Items loaded onto 2 components: “HCV prevention” and “Living with HCV” (55.4% of variance). HCV knowledge was low: LMSM correctly answered 44.6% and LSW 14.5% of items. Future research could focus on (a) applying the HEPCA-Lat scale in pre- and post-intervention assessments to evaluate changes in HCV knowledge and (b) refining the HEPCA-Lat scale to a concise version for broader use among the general Latino population.
Filipino men form a substantial proportion of the global seafaring workforce, particularly in the cruise line industry. The psychosocial, occupational, and environmental conditions influence their health, presenting challenges that are overlooked and unacknowledged and necessitating a systematic mapping of their health conditions and health care access. This scoping review aims to map the literature on the health conditions of Filipino men working in cruise lines to (1) describe prevalent health conditions; (2) identify mental health issues; (3) summarize the psychosocial, occupational, and environmental factors influencing health; (4) explore facilitators and barriers to health care access; and (5) characterize initiatives, interventions, and support systems. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Scoping Reviews methodology was utilized and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and relevant maritime health databases were searched from January 2010 to August 2025. In total, 20 publications were included. Filipino men working in cruise lines face a wide range of risk factors for physical and mental health conditions. Occupational hazards, such as noise, vibration, and poor workspace layout, coupled with limited access to fresh food and exercise, aggravate these conditions. While health promotion programs appeared in the literature, onboard health services are often limited, leading to reliance on repatriation and underreporting due to fear of job loss or stigma. A critical need remains for enhanced onboard medical services, culturally sensitive mental health support, robust legal protection, and comprehensive health promotion programs that address the various domains of their profession.
Weight gain during prostate cancer treatment can worsen treatment-related side effects, impair quality of life, and increase risks of recurrence and prostate cancer–specific mortality. The Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP), a comprehensive, home-based 6-month digital intervention, has demonstrated improvements in diet, physical activity, and weight. This secondary analysis examined whether changes in diet and physical activity mediated weight loss among participants receiving PC-PEP. In a randomized clinical trial, 128 men with localized prostate cancer were assigned to PC-PEP (n=66) or standard care (n=62) for six months. Diet quality was assessed using a 12-item summary score reflecting weekly frequency of key food groups. Physical activity level was self-reported as not very active, moderately active, or very active. Mediation models were adjusted for age, comorbidity, treatment modality, time from randomization to treatment, relationship status, medication for anxiety or depression, and baseline weight, diet, and physical activity. The results show that weight loss in the PC-PEP group was significantly mediated by both diet and physical activity, accounting for 21% and 16% of the total effect, respectively. The direct effect of the intervention remained significant. These results indicate that improvements in diet and physical activity partially mediated weight loss in men receiving PC-PEP, while a substantial direct effect suggests that additional components of the intervention contribute to outcomes. Findings highlight the value of comprehensive, multi-faceted digital survivorship interventions for men with prostate cancer and suggest that observed mediation effects are conservative estimates given the use of brief self-reported behavioral measures.
Background Men live shorter lives and suffer more often from preventable diseases than women. This health pattern is associated with masculine norms that incentivize health-risk behavior. Masculinity threats represent a potential mechanism by which masculinity norms causally impact men’s health behavior. In this scoping review, we map experimental evidence for health effects and moderators of masculinity threat. Methods Following PRISMA-ScR guidance, we conducted a scoping review of experimentally manipulated masculinity threat and men’s health across PsycNet, CINAHL, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. Searches were supplemented using Consensus AI, Google Scholar and web searches. We included experimental studies with male participants manipulating masculinity threat and measuring health-related outcomes. Results A total of k = 38 experiments across 25 papers were included, covering food and beverage intake ( k = 16), emotional well-being and physiological stress ( k = 9), body image and fitness ( k = 6), risk-taking behaviors ( k = 5), and interpersonal relationships ( k = 2). Masculinity threat was consistently associated with a preference for stereotypically masculine foods, particularly meat. Effects in other domains were mixed or limited. We found that endorsement of masculinity-related traits, and beliefs about the precarious nature of manhood, most consistently shaped when, and for whom, masculinity threats motivated compensatory reactions or disengagement. Conclusion Findings may inform public health messaging by showing that challenges to men’s masculine status can lead to health risk behavior. This review aims to guide future research to clarify existing patterns and explore new health domains and moderators related to masculinity threat.
More men live alone than ever before, and this increases their risk for mortality. In-hospital studies for men who have struggles associated with living alone have not been amply studied. We used the 2022 National Inpatient Sample to explore hospital outcomes among men with “problems living alone.” Using multivariable regression analyses, we examined in-hospital mortality, length of stay, total hospital charges, and post-discharge disposition. In 2022, 12,109,441 men were admitted to U.S. hospitals. Overall, 45,860 (0.4%) were coded for problems related to living alone, and 12,063,581 (99.6%) were not. Men with problems living alone were older (62.1 ± 17.4 vs. 67.3 ± 15.7; p < .01) and had a higher comorbidity burden, indicated by the Elixhauser mean score (4.04 ± 2.3 vs. 4.35 ± 2.1; p < .01). Men with problems living alone had lower mortality (adjusted odds [ aOR ] = 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.61, 0.83]; p < .01) and lower hospital charges (adjusted mean difference [ aMD] = −$6,374; 95% CI = [−9,707, −3,040]; p < .01). However, they had longer stays ( aMD = +0.7 days; 95% CI = [0.52, 0.97]; p < .01) and lower odds of being discharged home ( aOR = 0.61; 95% CI = [0.57, 0.64]; p < .01). Men with problems living alone had different in-hospital findings than other men; some of these were surprisingly distinctive. Interventions during hospitalization may be supportive and help optimize reductions in health care resource utilization.
Adolescent men are under intense pressure to live up to conventional masculine standards that disallow the display of emotions, but little is known about the psychological costs of this adherence. This study was conducted using a sequential explanatory mixed-method design to determine whether the association between masculine norm conformity and psychological distress is mediated by emotional suppression. A survey (n = 892 boys; 13-18 years old) conducted on conformity to masculine norms revealed that conformity significantly predicted emotional suppression (0.521, p <.001), which entirely mediated between conformity and distress (indirect effect = 0.287, p <.001); the strongest predictors were emotional control and self-reliance. Three new processes were identified in follow-up interviews (n = 38): performative emotional labor, paradoxes of masculine authenticity, and relational hunger. The effects varied with age, with a peak pressure in the mid-adolescent period. The evidence supports gender-transformative, masculine norm prevention.
The dimensional structure of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in fathers remains debated, and it is unclear whether scale properties are comparable as children age through the first 2 years. This study aims to examine the EPDS factor structure and measurement invariance across infant age bands among Swedish fathers. We analyzed 2,318 EPDS assessments from 1,615 fathers when their child was 0 to 24 months (0–6: n = 597; 7–12: n = 701; 13–18: n = 485; 19–24: n = 535). Competing confirmatory factor analyses compared one-, two-, and three-factor models within each age band. We then tested measurement invariance across bands. EPDS cut-off ≥10 described screening-positive proportions. A three-factor model: anhedonia (items 1–2), anxiety (3–6), and depressive affect (7–10) outperformed one- and two-factor alternatives across all age bands, with acceptable-to-good fit. Latent factors were positively and substantially inter-correlated. Strict measurement invariance was supported across age bands, indicating that mean-level comparisons are defensible as children age. Using EPDS ≥ 10, the proportion screening positive was 16.75% (0–6 months), 20.26% (7–12), 26.39% (13–18), and 22.99% (19–24). Internal consistency for the total scale was good across bands. In a national cohort of Swedish fathers across the first two postnatal years, the EPDS showed a replicable three-factor structure and strict invariance across child-age bands, supporting valid comparisons over time. Screening yields non-trivial prevalence beyond 12 months, underscoring the value of father-inclusive screening into the second postnatal year.
Cigarette smoking is a recognized risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) development and progression; however, the association between smoking and features of MS in male patients remains insufficiently explored. A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted involving 31 male patients with approved relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), divided into smokers ( n = 9) and non-smokers ( n = 22). The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) were used to assess cognitive performance. Hand dexterity was evaluated using the 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). Depressive symptoms and disability were assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), respectively. Fatigue and related factors were assessed using the Comprehensive Fatigue Assessment Battery for Multiple Sclerosis (CFAB-MS). Serum markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH), were also measured. Smokers demonstrated significantly lower SDMT scores compared with non-smokers (36.86 ± 11.16 vs. 52.47 ± 18.54; p = .04), which was no longer significant after adjusting for EDSS and age. No significant differences were observed between groups in PASAT, 9HPT, EDSS, or BDI. Smokers reported higher anxiety and worry scores on the CFAB-MS ( p < .05), while other fatigue-related domains were comparable between groups. Regarding the oxidative stress markers, a statistically significant difference was only detected in SOD activity. Regular cigarette smoking may be associated with decreased cognitive processing speed and increased anxiety in male patients with RRMS, which warrants further investigation.
Persistent racial disparities underscore the disproportionate burden of poor health among Black men in the United States. Black men also use health care services less often, yet gaps remain in the literature on racial differences in health care utilization patterns. The objective of this study was to examine potential race differences in health care service utilization, specifically whether they had at least one office-based provider visit during the year between Black and White men. Data from the 2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were used, consisting of a sample of 5,921 men (4,837 non-Hispanic White and 1,084 non-Hispanic Black). The dependent variable, health care utilization, was based on the aggregated 2022 annual total of office-based provider visits and was coded as a binary indicator of whether the respondent had at least one visit during the year. Race and ethnicity were based on respondents’ self-reported race and whether they identified as Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin. Approximately 73 percent of the men had at least one office-based provider visit during the year, and 18 percent of the sample were NHB men. After adjusting for covariates, NHB men had a lower prevalence of having an office-based physical annual visit during the year (prevalence ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [0.77, 0.88]) than NHW men. This difference may reflect medical mistrust and other health care system barriers rooted in historical and ongoing discrimination against Black men, which limits access to care. These findings underscore the need to address the root causes of barriers to health care utilization among Black men.
The death of a spouse is a major life stressor for men, yet cultural and gender norms shape how grief is experienced and expressed. This qualitative study explored widowers’ grief experiences and perceptions of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in Taiwan, focusing on implications for male mental health. Eighteen widowers were recruited from five outpatient clinics and interviewed using a semi-structured guide, and data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach based on Giorgi’s method. Four themes emerged: grief subordinated to paternal and familial responsibilities, with men prioritizing child-rearing and household duties over emotional processing; emotional restraint and internalized suffering, reflecting loneliness and rationalized acceptance of loss; functional impairment as the threshold for disorder, with grief seen as problematic primarily when daily functioning was disrupted; and help-seeking framed as pragmatic responsibility, with medical intervention pursued to restore role performance or fulfill moral duties to the deceased. An outlier case highlighted variability in marital intimacy and grief intensity. Participants’ perceptions of PGD were guided by functional impact rather than grief duration alone, and masculine and cultural norms shaped coping and help-seeking. These findings provide insights into male grief in an East Asian context and highlight the importance of culturally sensitive interventions that support role continuity, adaptive coping, and awareness of male mental health.
The Chinese government has actively promoted artificial intelligence (AI) in health care, with momentum building in 2016 through the Healthy China 2030 Initiative. This reform plan aims to modernize health care infrastructure, reduce the burden of chronic diseases, and expand access to medical services in rural areas using digital technologies such as AI. Health expenditure (HE) and digital financial inclusion (DFI) play a crucial role in improving health outcomes. HE improves access to medical services and the quality of care, while DFI allows individuals to afford health care, save for emergencies, and manage health-related financial risks. Therefore, this study examines the impact of AI, health expenditure and DFI on life expectancy (LE) in China from 2013Q1 to 2023Q4. This study employed autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and quantile regression analyses to ensure the robustness of the results. The finding shows that gross domestic product (GDP), AI, health expenditure, DFI and government effectiveness have positive effect on LE. This study recommended that the government expand AI integration in health care to improve diagnostics and treatment efficiency. It also emphasized promoting DFI to help low-income groups access health care and manage medical expenses. As well, the study suggested increasing public health expenditure to enhance health care infrastructure and service quality, ultimately improving LE.
Despite proven efficacy in preventing HIV, the global uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) remains limited and uneven, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). A meta-analysis by Zhao et al. reveals that only 20% of PrEP-eligible MSM have ever used the medication, with stark disparities across regions and income levels. While uptake has increased over time, significant barriers persist, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These barriers include financial constraints, limited health care infrastructure, provider knowledge gaps, and pervasive stigma, which together impede equitable access to PrEP. In regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America, MSM face challenges related to health care access, while younger MSM and marginalized groups, including transgender individuals, are particularly underserved. This viewpoint calls for global strategies that address these inequities through targeted, evidence-based interventions that focus on reducing systemic barriers and incorporating intersectional approaches. To scale up PrEP access and ensure equitable HIV prevention, multilevel strategies are necessary, involving policy changes, provider training, community-led initiatives, and youth-centered outreach. Addressing the financial, structural, and social determinants of health is essential for bridging these gaps and ensuring that PrEP fulfills its potential as a global tool for HIV prevention.
Becoming a first-time father is a profound experience that shapes a man’s emotional and psychological well-being. While the role of mothers during infancy has been extensively explored, the emotional experiences of first-time fathers remain powerful yet often overlooked, leaving gaps in understanding their challenges, support needs, and mental health implications. The study employed a qualitative, exploratory research design. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 first-time fathers, recruited via purposive sampling. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to explore the emotional landscape of first-time fathers during infancy. The analysis yielded 20 sub-themes, organized under five overarching themes. These themes encompassed paternal concerns for maternal well-being, fatherhood-related transformations, positive experiences of fatherhood, adjusting to infant care, and responsibilities and support systems. The findings indicate that the journey of first-time fatherhood is dynamic, characterized by significant emotional changes, shifting identities, and the ongoing balancing act between responsibility and joy, with supportive relationships playing a vital role in shaping their experiences. The study contributes to a broader understanding of fatherhood by providing insights into the emotional terrain first-time fathers navigate, with implications for clinical practice, policy development, and future research in paternal mental health. By giving voice to an often-silenced journey, this study highlights the need for greater recognition and support of fathers during this critical life stage.
To evaluate the clinical impact of staged rehabilitation training on the recovery of urinary incontinence (UI) after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer and to identify factors associated with recovery outcomes and training adherence. In this retrospective cohort study, 169 patients who underwent robot-assisted RP at our hospital between June 2023 and December 2024 were included. Based on postoperative management with/without staged rehabilitation training, patients were assigned to a rehabilitation group or a conventional group. The rehabilitation group received a structured and staged pelvic floor muscle-training and behavioral-guidance protocol, whereas the conventional group received only basic health education. UI recovery rates and scores on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) were compared at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Independent predictors of UI recovery were analyzed using a Cox proportional-hazards model. Within the rehabilitation group, factors associated with adherence were examined using logistic regression. The rehabilitation group showed significantly higher UI recovery rates at all postoperative time points and lower ICIQ-SF scores. Staged rehabilitation training was an independent protective factor for UI recovery (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.048), whereas older age (HR = 0.765) and higher Gleason score (HR = 0.551) were independent risk factors. Within the rehabilitation group, higher adherence was associated with better recovery and lower ICIQ-SF scores (all p < .05). Logistic regression further indicated that age was an independent predictor of adherence (odds ratio [OR] = 0.713). Staged rehabilitation training distinctly accelerates UI recovery after RP and serves as an independent facilitator of continence restoration.
COVID-19 interventions disrupted family life, disproportionately affecting low-income Black fathers. Although family relationships are critical aspects of men’s mental health and overall well-being, studies examining the effect of the pandemic from a Black fathering lens are sparse. This study explored Black fathers’ experiences and adaptive responses to fathering during the pandemic, highlighting mental health consequences of their experience. Data was collected through interviews with Black fathers participating in a fatherhood-focused program in a Midwestern U.S. urban area. The average age of the participants was 33 years, half were unmarried (50%), most had one biological child (58%), many earned less than $10,000 USD annually (42%), and most had at least a high school degree (89%). Seventeen fathers (six in two focus groups and eleven individual interviews) were interviewed from February to July 2021. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. Five themes were identified from the data. Men consistently valued their role as fathers despite enduring pandemic-related economic and familial stressors that impacted their involvement with their children. A primary adaptation in response to these multilevel stressors was surrendering to absence to protect their child(ren) from disease. Fathers felt that the isolation from their children, due in part to increased maternal gatekeeping, consequently heightened their psychological distress . This study provides valuable insight into Black fatherhood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings indicate that COVID-19 strained already difficult parenting relationships and constrained father engagement, creating mental health consequences for some Black fathers.
