ED, Constructs of Masculinity, and Quality of Life in the Multinational MALES Study.

ED, Constructs of Masculinity, and Quality of Life in the Multinational MALES Study, Michael Sand and Andrea Nadel, Bayer Healthcare; William Fisher, University of Western Ontario; Raymond C. Rosen, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Ian Eardley, St. James University Hospital, United Kingdom

We reported on the attitudes of men concerning masculine identity and quality of life of men with and without self-reported erectile dysfunction (ED). The MALES study involved 27,839 men aged between 20 and 75 years who were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire in eight countries (USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil). Participants were selected primarily by random-digit dialing. Men of all nationalities in this sample and across all age ranges identified being seen as honorable, self-reliant, and respected by friends far above being seen as physically attractive, sexually active, and successful with women, as most important to their self-construct of masculinity. Constructs of masculine identity did not differ between men with or without ED. Similarly, and in contrast to popular stereotypes, men of all ages and across nationalities considered good health, harmonious family life, and a good relationship with their wife or partner of significantly greater importance to their quality of life than material or hedonistic concerns. Men with ED were more likely than those without to cite the importance of their relationship to their wife or partner to quality of life. Constructs of masculinity differed substantially from popular media portrayals and did not correlate with ED or ED treatment-seeking behavior. These findings aid our understanding of the manner in which constructs of masculinity and quality of life are valued and their effect on men with ED to seek--or not seek--treatment for this sexual dysfunction.