Sex Differences in Help Seeking
One of the most common findings in the help seeking literature shows that females are more likely to seek help for mental and physical health problems than males (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; Blazina & Watkins, 1996; Good, Dell & Mintz, 1989; McKay, Rutherford, Cacciola & Kabasakalian-McKay, 1996; Mahalik, Good & Englar-Carlson, 2003; Padesky & Hammen, 1981; Thom, 1986; Willis, Fabian & Hendershot, 2005).
Men of different ages, nationalities, and ethnic backgrounds seek help from mental health services less frequently than women from comparative groups (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; Gove, 1984; Gove & Tudor, 1973; Greenley & Mechanic, 1976; Howard & Orlinsky, 1972; Vessey and Howard, 1993). W
hilst sex differences are helpful in highlighting men‟s underutilisation of services they tell us very little about within group differences or the underlying biological, psychological, or cultural processes (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; Mechanic, 1978). Moreover, male versus female comparisons run the risk of supporting essentialist interpretations of gender (Addis & Mahalik, 2003).
Men of different ages, nationalities, and ethnic backgrounds seek help from mental health services less frequently than women from comparative groups (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; Gove, 1984; Gove & Tudor, 1973; Greenley & Mechanic, 1976; Howard & Orlinsky, 1972; Vessey and Howard, 1993). W
hilst sex differences are helpful in highlighting men‟s underutilisation of services they tell us very little about within group differences or the underlying biological, psychological, or cultural processes (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; Mechanic, 1978). Moreover, male versus female comparisons run the risk of supporting essentialist interpretations of gender (Addis & Mahalik, 2003).
