Religion, Spirituality, and Masculinity: New Insights for Counselors (The Routledge Series on Counseling and Psychotherapy with Boys and Men)

__Religion, Spirituality, and Masculinity__ provides concrete, practical suggestions for mental health professionals. Drawing from decades of clinical experience working with men and interdisciplinary insights from psychology, sociology, religion, and more, the authors explore some of the most salient aspects of men’s mental and spiritual health. Chapters focus on topics such as men’s relationships to religion and to masculinity, shame, and forgiveness, and concerns such as pornography use and drifting between religious affiliations. In addition to relevant theory and research, each chapter includes a case study and clear, science-informed strategies that can be incorporated into everyday practice in ways that improve men’s health and wellbeing. Religion, Spirituality, and Masculinity provides concrete, practical suggestions for mental health professionals. Drawing from decades of clinical experience working with men and interdisciplinary insights from psychology, sociology, religion, and more, the authors explore some of the most salient aspects of men’s mental and spiritual health. Chapters focus on topics such as men’s relationships to religion and to masculinity, shame, and forgiveness, and concerns such as pornography use and drifting between religious affiliations. In addition to relevant theory and research, each chapter includes a case study and clear, science-informed strategies that can be incorporated into everyday practice in ways that improve men’s health and wellbeing. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 List of Figures 9 List of Tables 10 About the Authors 11 Series Editor’s Foreword 12 References 14 Acknowledgments 16 Introduction 18 Professional and Training Barriers 20 The Importance of Overcoming Barriers to Improve Men’s Health 21 Tips on How to Read the Book 22 Roadmap of This Book 24 References 26 Chapter 1: How Do Men Use Religion? 29 Religious Affiliations 29 Considering Gender with Religious Affiliation, Beliefs, and Practices 30 Conceptualization, Assessment, and Counseling Interventions 41 Summary and Conclusion 45 Case Example 47 References 51 Chapter 2: How Do Men Use Masculinity? 55 Masculinity Defined 55 Traditional Masculinity Ideology 57 Positive Masculinity 58 Precarious Manhood 58 Culture and Masculinities 60 Conceptualization, Assessment, and Counseling Interventions 62 Case Example 66 References 69 Chapter 3: Men and Their Relationship with God 72 Defining and Differentiating Related Terms 74 Relationship with God and Masculinity 77 Conceptualization, Assessment, and Counseling Interventions 78 Summary and Conclusions 86 Case Example 87 References 91 Chapter 4: Pray and Go to Church? 94 Spiritual Tools in Counseling: Prayer and Religious Services 95 Prayer and Religious Service Attendance: Masculinity and Men’s Health 97 Conceptualization, Assessment, and Counseling Interventions 103 Summary and Conclusions 111 Case Example 111 References 119 Chapter 5: Men’s Shame 122 Differentiating Shame from Guilt 122 Gender Differences 123 Men, Masculinity, and Shame 124 Religion and Shame 125 Culture and Shame 126 Conceptualization, Assessment, and Counseling Interventions 127 Case Example 130 References 133 Chapter 6: Men and Forgiveness 137 Defining Forgiveness 138 Forgiveness with Men 141 Conceptualization, Assessment, and Counseling Interventions 142 Assessing Masculinity Ideology in Relation to Forgiveness 146 Counseling Interventions 147 Summary and Conclusions 149 Case Example* 149 References 154 Chapter 7: Pornography Use and Spiritual Issues with Men 157 Clarifying Terms and Definitions 159 Men, Masculinity, and Problematic Pornography Consumption 160 Psycho-Social Health Outcomes for Men and Their Partners 162 Religion, Spirituality, and Pornography Consumption 164 Conceptualization, Assessment, and Counseling Interventions 166 Assessment 168 Counseling Interventions 171 Summary and Conclusions 174 Case Example 175 References 181 Chapter 8: Gay Men and Religion 185 Religious Involvement, Spirituality, and Gay Men 185 Religious Homonegativity 186 Internalized Homonegativity 188 Identity Conflict: Gay Identity and Religious/Spiritual Identity 189 Religiosity versus Spirituality 191 Conceptualization, Assessment, and Counseling Interventions 192 Case Example 198 References 202 Chapter 9: Religious Drifters 206 Religiously Unaffiliated Men 206 Masculinity and Religious Non-Affiliation 208 Possible Psychological Issues 209 Conceptualization, Assessment, and Counseling Interventions 209 Case Example 212 References 215 Chapter 10: Creating More Positive Pathways That Improve Men’s Health 218 Conceptual Models 218 Men’s Health and Wellbeing 221 Religiosity and Spirituality 221 Masculinity Ideology 223 Addressing the Intersecting Religious, Spiritual, and Masculinity Issues 224 The Path to Wellness 226 References 226 Index 227 Religion, Spirituality, and Masculinity provides concrete, practical suggestions for mental health professionals, drawing from the authors' decades of clinical experience working with men and interdisciplinary insights from psychology, sociology, religion, and more.