The psychology of men's health: maximizing masculine capital

Objective: Mortality and morbidity statistics show that men on average die younger than women and are more prone to many nongendered illnesses. Social constructions of masculinity have been implicated in men's poorer health, although it is now recognized that masculinity is a complex, multifaceted entity, elements of which can prove health-promoting.

Methods: This special issue, "Men's health: Masculinity and other influences on male health behaviors," brings together a range of psychological research that demonstrates how masculinities work in different health-related situations, ranging from lifestyle choices to life-threatening diseases.

Results: A cross-cutting theme concerns how masculine "capital" can function to both constrain and open up healthy practices. In the first of two sections, seven papers focus on public health issues, including physical exercise, alcohol consumption, and help-seeking. The second section then covers illness-related phenomena, including male-specific cancers, sports-induced disability, and male sterilization. These six papers examine how masculinities inhibit and promote coping with difficult embodied states with different groups of men.

Conclusions: This special issue offers important insights on masculinities and health from methodologically diverse investigations, and highlights how masculinities can be deployed to improve the health of men across different contexts.