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This investigation examined the moderating effects of physical health and scripts for masculinity (i.e., self-reliance and emotional control) on the relationship between powerful other people locus of control and mental health for 230 men treated for prostate cancer. Regression analyses indicated that physical health and masculine gender scripts moderated the association between powerful other people locus of control and mental health. Specifically, men with poor physical health evinced negative mental health when they endorsed masculine gender scripts and believed powerful other people (i.e., family, friends, or peers) were influential in controlling their cancer. By comparison, men reporting poor physical health, strong beliefs that powerful other people controlled their cancer, and less adherence to masculine scripts experienced positive mental health. The authors discuss future research directions and potential mental health implications for men treated for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent solid tumor malignancy and second-leading cause of death from cancer for American men. As a consequence of treatment-related side effects, men living with prostate cancer experience various obstacles to positive mental health. Unfortunately, relatively little is known about factors that promote or impede men's adjustment to these obstacles. In this article, the authors identify three masculine gender scripts that may contribute to men's adjustment following treatment for prostate cancer. To organize the discussion, the authors review related literature and, through case examples, illustrate how masculine gender scripts may influence men's adjustment. Directions for gender-sensitive interventions and future clinical research are provided.

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