Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease that is commonly diagnosed in middle age and disproportionately affects women. Consequently, middle-aged men (as partners and husbands) are often the caregivers, a unique group in comparison with carers for people with other long-term neurological conditions, who are predominately women. Previous research has indicated that male carers respond differently from their female counterparts in terms of carer burden. Authors of gender role construct literature have reported that gender role conflict and gender role flexibility have an influence on men's attitudes about seeking help and support. The aim of this study was to investigate whether gender role conflict and gender role flexibility have an effect on help-seeking attitudes and carer burden within this unique group of carers. METHODS: Data were collected from an international sample of 68 participants, using results from online and paper surveys, and were primarily analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: Results indicated that gender role conflict and gender role flexibility explained a significant variance in burden but were not significantly associated with attitudes toward help-seeking. Rather, appearance of coping was posited as a potential variable mediating the relationship between gender role conflict and help-seeking attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate how gender role constructs affect carer coping, suggesting that support for male carers may require tailored interventions. Appearance of coping is highlighted as a variable that requires further investigation. Further, a direction for psychoeducational interventions applicable to other groups of male carers is suggested.