Restrictive Masculinity Norms and Past Year Checkups

Research

“Restrictive Masculinity Norms and Past Year Checkup among Young Adult Males and Females” Rhode Island Medical Journal, June 2025

Researchers

Professor Samantha R. Rosenthal, Ph.D., MPH
Madison A. Morais '25
Postdoctoral Teaching & Research Fellow Kelsey A. Gately, OTD, OT/R

Project Objective

Madison Morais '25, a current student in JWU’s Health Science program, contributed to a study led by Professor Rosenthal. This project looked at whether young adults who believe in traditional, rigid ideas about masculinity are less likely to get a routine checkup. These beliefs—like thinking you should always be tough, self-reliant, or never ask for help—may lead people to avoid going to the doctor, even when it's just for preventive care. The study included both males and females to see if these attitudes affect everyone, not just men. Researchers wanted to find out if these beliefs could explain why many young adults skip yearly health visits, which are important for catching health problems early. The goal was to understand this pattern better and help create more supportive, gender-sensitive ways to encourage young people to seek regular care.

Project Goals & Skills

The goal of this project was to understand whether young adults who believe in traditional, restrictive masculinity norms are less likely to attend annual health checkups. It aimed to explore how these beliefs impact both males and females, and whether they contribute to avoiding preventive healthcare. The student analyzed survey data from over 1,000 young adults in Rhode Island using statistical tools like logistic regression. They gained experience in public health research, including designing variables, adjusting for confounding factors, and interpreting complex results. The student also developed skills in equity-based health analysis, understanding how gender norms influence behavior. This project helped them improve scientific writing, critical thinking, and communication for both academic and health sector audiences.

“Researching an emerging and understudied topic like restrictive masculinity for the RIMJ has been incredibly impactful, as sharing the insights I’ve gained from exploring unfamiliar areas of health provides others with the same opportunity to learn.”

Results & Future Implications

The study found that young adults who strongly believe in restrictive masculinity norms were significantly more likely to skip annual health checkups. This pattern was true for both males and females, suggesting that gender beliefs—not just biological sex—play a key role in avoiding preventive care. Each increase in restrictive masculinity score raised the odds of not getting a checkup. These results highlight the need for gender-sensitive health messaging that frames checkups as a sign of strength, not weakness. Future efforts should include education, social support, and community-based programs that reduce stigma and encourage care-seeking among those influenced by traditional masculinity ideals.

The Benefits of Working on Research

Morais noted the benefits of working with the Center for Student Research & Interdisciplinary Collaboration (CSRIC): “Utilizing aspects of social sciences to understand our personal patterns in how we approach healthcare opens the door to improved health outcomes and decreased stigma. Researching an emerging and understudied topic like restrictive masculinity for the RIMJ has been incredibly impactful, as sharing the insights I’ve gained from exploring unfamiliar areas of health provides others with the same opportunity to learn.”

_{Top Inset: Madison Morais '25, a current student in JWU’s Health Science Program.}

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