"I've been independent for so damn long!": Independence, masculinity and aging in a help seeking context

James A. Smith; Annette Braunack-Mayer; Gary Wittert; Megan Warin

doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2007.05.004

"I've been independent for so damn long!": Independence, masculinity and aging in a help seeking context

James A. Smith, Annette Braunack-Mayer, Gary Wittert, Megan Warin

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

130 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper draws on semi-structured interviews conducted with 36 older men to examine how older men's understandings of independence relate to their help seeking behaviours and health service use. We argue that discourses of masculinity and successful aging are both represented in men's talk about independence. Recognising that these discourses are intertwined is important for understanding how older men seek help and use health services. We outline the practice and policy implications of viewing older men's help seeking behaviours in this way, and how it might be useful for promoting older men's health.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	325-335
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of Aging Studies
Volume	21
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2007.05.004
Publication status	Published - Dec 2007
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Help-seeking
Independence
Masculinity
Successful aging

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10.1016/j.jaging.2007.05.004Licence: In Copyright

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"I've been independent for so damn long!": Independence, masculinity and aging in a help seeking context

Abstract

Keywords

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