title: Canadian Men's Self-Management of Chronic Diseases: A Literature Analysis of Strategies for Dealing With Risks and Promoting Wellness.
abstract: This article reviews the qualitative research on men's self-management of mental and physical chronic diseases, with emphasis on strategies for dealing with risks and promoting wellness. Using Bardin's method of document analysis, it was focused on the findings of Canadian qualitative studies published in French or English from 2005 to 2011. Boltanski's theory on social uses of the body inspired the analysis. Living with a chronic disease threatens men's sense of masculinity and self-image, as well as their perceived ability to fulfill expected social roles. Social images of men's bodies influence how men express their emotions, attributes, and attitudes, or acknowledge the need for and seek social affirmation. Self-management has been documented in Canadian qualitative literature as a complex phenomenon influenced by the social environment, personal capacities, feelings, perceptions, and potentials. The extent of how all these features interact within the scope of men's mental and physical health and illness experiences was partially revealed in this study. The findings underscore the social invisibility of men's bodies, especially those of men facing social inequities. Attending to principles of social justice can ensure that future research on men's health will amplify the range of men's voices and allow them to be heard. Recommendations address also the international scientific community interested in advancing men's health research, especially in those countries that lack a national men's health policy.
authors: 1 Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Margareth S
authors: MS
authors: Zanchetta
authors: 2 McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.|3 Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Maheu
authors: 4 Centennial College & University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Olesya
authors: O
authors: Kolisnyk
authors: 5 Toronto Public Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Mohamed
authors: 1 Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Sepali
authors: S
authors: Guruge
authors: 6 West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Kinslikh
authors: 7 Trillium Health Partners-Mississauga Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Joneet J
authors: JJ
authors: Christopher
authors: 8 Anishnawbe Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Stevenson
authors: 9 Toronto East General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: CaroLine
authors: C
authors: SanJose
authors: 1 Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Terry
authors: T
authors: Sizto
authors: 1 Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Byam
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057228:Masculinity; D054526:Men's Health; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D000073278:Self-Management
keywords: Anglophone; Canadian qualitative evidences; Francophone; aboriginal; and sexual minority men; literature analysis; scholarly and gray literature