Emotional expression, perceptions of therapy, and help-seeking intentions in men attending therapy services

Authors

Coralie J. Wilson, University of WollongongFollow
Joseph V. Ciarrochi, School of Psychology, University of WollongongFollow
Frank P. Deane, University of WollongongFollow
Jason Cusack

RIS ID

15841

Publication Details

Cusack, J., Deane, F. P., Wilson, C. J. & Ciarrochi, J. V. (2006). Emotional expression, perceptions of therapy, and help-seeking intentions in men attending therapy services. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 7 (2), 69-82.

Abstract

Seventy-three men who were currently accessing or had recently accessed mental health services completed a questionnaire regarding their emotional expression, engagement in therapy, perceptions of treatment helpfulness, and future help-seeking intentions. Perceptions of treatment helpfulness were inversely predicted by alexithymia (mediated by bond) and restrictive emotionality, although these emotional expression variables were unrelated to future help-seeking intentions. Bond was positively related to perceptions of treatment helpfulness and both variables predicted future help-seeking intentions. Contrary to expectations, perceptions of treatment helpfulness did not mediate the relationship between bond and future help-seeking intentions. It was concluded that, once in therapy, bond and perceptions of treatment helpfulness are more important to future help-seeking intentions than a man's difficulty or discomfort with emotional expression.