Moving beyond essentialism in the contemporary psychodynamic psychology of men: Implications for theory and research.

The Roles Animal Companions Play in Middle-Aged Males’ Lives: Examining the Psychometric Properties of a Measure Assessing Males’ Human–Animal Interactions

“…It also seems likely that the bond allows some men to circumvent psychological defensive styles that are customarily utilized in relational encounters and clinical settings (see Blazina and Bartone 2015;Del Giudice 2011;Wexler 2009). These strategies involve distancing from affect, denial of attachment needs, and circumventing emotional involvement and intimacy when under duress (see Cassidy and Kobak 1988).…”