Physical Health, Self-Reliance, and Emotional Control as Moderators of the Relationship between Locus of Control and Mental Health among Men Treated for Prostate Cancer

Abstract

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.

The Effects of Age, Ethnicity, Sexual Dysfunction, Urinary Incontinence, Masculinity, and Relationship with the Partner on the Quality of Life of Men with Prostate Cancer

“…In these qualitative reports, sexual performance was reported to be an essential component of a man's socially expected role (Burns & Mahalik, 2006). Studies have highlighted the effect of these symptoms on men's wellbeing but have not emphasized the effects on these men's relationship with their partners and QOL (Burns & Mahalik, 2006;Fergus et al, 2002;Khan et al, 2008).…”

“…Studies on masculinity and sexual functioning in men with prostate cancer generally have shown that men discussed main themes of distress, despair, shame, and impaired social functioning Khan et al, 2008). Sexual performance was reported to be an essential constituent of a man's socially expected role (Burns & Mahalik, 2006).…”

“…The impact of prostate cancer side effects on masculinity (Burns & Mahalik, 2006;Fergus et al;, partner relationship Sanders et al, 2006), and QOL (Howlet et al, 2010;Monga et al, 2005) have been examined. The relationships between sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence and QOL have been well documented (Howlett et al, 2010;Sanda et al, 2008;Penson et al, 2003;Potosky et al, 2004;Weber et al, 2007).…”

“…Studies on men with prostate cancer have examined the contribution of prostate cancer side effects (i.e., sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence) on QOL (Howlet et al, 2010;Monga et al, 2005), partner relationship Sanders et al, 2006), and masculinity (Burns & Mahalik, 2006;Fergus et al;. The age of men contributed to how much emphasis was placed on sexual dysfunction after the diagnosis of prostate cancer (Oliffe, 2005).…”

“…Studies have accounted for QOL, sexuality, and relationship with the partner as being the main outcome indicators of prostate cancer treatment (Badr & Carmak Taylor, 2009;Giarelli, McCorckle, & Monturo, 2003). The impact of prostate cancer treatment side effects on QOL (Howlet et al, 2010;Monga, Kerrigan, Thornby, Monga, & Zimmermann, 2005), masculinity (Burns & Mahalik, 2006;Fergus, Grey, & Fich;, and partner relationship (Galbraith, Pedro, Jaffe, & Allen, 2008;Sanders et al, 2006) have been examined. However, research has not highlighted the relationships among prostate cancer treatment side effects (i.e., sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence), masculinity, and relationship with the partner together on QOL in men.…”