title: The need to be Superman: the psychosocial support challenges of young men affected by cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate how gender-specific issues shape the experiences of young adult men with cancer and what they report to be problematic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative, descriptive approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Website, focus group in the southwestern United States, and phone interviews throughout the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Text from an online forum (N=3,000 posts), focus group of six men, and separate interviews with four men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data analysis took place over two months through constant comparison of online text as well as a focus group and interview transcripts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men face challenges being both a receiver and provider of support in relationships with their peers, romantic partners, and children. Cultural expectations to "be strong" drive their support-seeking beliefs and behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men report conflict between desires to show strength and to be honest that present a barrier to support, as well as contribute to inadequate relationships with male peers and greater difficulty in exchanging support with romantic partners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors identified attitudes about and barriers to men's experiences with social support, which healthcare providers, such as nurses, should be sensitive to when developing and providing support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Advertising and Public Relations, University of Texas in Austin.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Love
authors.affiliation: School of Communication Studies, Ohio University in Athens.
authors.forename: Charee M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Studies, University of Texas.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D017144:Focus Groups; D005783:Gender Identity; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D057228:Masculinity; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: masculinity; men; social support; young adult cancer