Hidden in plain sight: exploring men’s use of complementary and alternative medicine

Journal article

Cant, S. and Watts, P. 2018. Hidden in plain sight: exploring men’s use of complementary and alternative medicine. The Journal of Men's Studies. https://doi.org/10.1177/1060826518778839
AuthorsCant, S. and Watts, P.
Abstract

Despite the increased attention given to the relationship between masculinity and health, the analysis of men’s use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is relatively underdeveloped compared to studies of female use.

Through the thematic synthesis of existing research studies, this paper collates and analyses patterns of, and motivations for, male usage of CAM. We reveal that there are significant levels of male use of CAM which cannot be explained by recourse to general or gendered patterns of health seeking behaviour or health status. Men who use CAM tend to exhibit similar demographic characteristics to female users, but also show patterns of engagement that both reinforce and challenge hegemonic masculinity.

The paper suggests that there remains a need to investigate the nuances and complexities of the motivations behind male usage patterns, and interrogate how these intersect with the performance of masculine selves.

KeywordsComplementary and alternative medicine; health; masculinity; sociology
Year2018
JournalThe Journal of Men's Studies
PublisherSAGE
ISSN‎1060-8265
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1060826518778839
Official URLhttp://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/3AmMrJTmDBJ9S4nPNByk/full
Publication dates
Print17 Jun 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited21 Jun 2018
Accepted03 May 2018
Accepted author manuscript
Accepted author manuscript
Output statusPublished
Page range1-21
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