Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The study examines masculinity practices, in both their positive and negative aspects, in terms of their influence on men’s help-seeking in the context of a natural disaster, in particular the rejection of psychosocial assistance.

METHODOLOGY: Qualitative study of a small sample of voluntary participants constituted of male survivors of a major earthquake and tsunami event in 2010 in Chile.

RESULTS: It appears that norms of hegemonic masculinity predominated in men’s emotional responses to the disaster event, with both positive and negative consequences. Family relationships, mutual assistance in the community, and the passage of time emerge as the principal factors of healing for men since the catastrophe.

DISCUSSION: An understanding of men’s beliefs and attitudes is, therefore, essential to any inclusive assessment of the efficacy and quality of the various services offered to populations exposed to natural disaster events.

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