African American Manhood and Self-Rated Health: What Demographic Characteristics, Health Conditions, and Aspects of Manhood Matter?

Few studies have tested what aspects of manhood are associated with health. In this study, we examined how aspects of African American Manhood are related to health. Using cross-sectional data from a criterion sample of 300 African American men 35-73 years old (M = 46.53), we examined how aspects of African American Manhood, demographic characteristics, and health conditions were related to self-rated health. When we controlled for demographics, socioeconomic status (SES) and health conditions, different aspects of manhood were associated with good/excellent health. Across four linear regression models, we found that the Religion and Spirituality factor was the component of African American Manhood most strongly associated with good/excellent self-rated health. The Religion and Spirituality factor was the only aspect of African American Manhood that remained significant when we controlled for SES and health conditions. Neither Reputation, Respectability, nor aspects of role strain remained significantly associated with good/excellent self-rated health when we controlled for SES and health conditions. In analyses examining the relationship between lower odds of good/excellent self-rated health and aspects of ethnic identity, only Afrocentric subscales that highlight behaviors that demonstrate a connection to Africa (e.g., celebrating Kwanzaa) and greater importance of learning about African culture or spiritual beliefs in Africa remained significant. Finally, we found that African American men who reported a body mass index in the normal range, an income level above $50,000, being employed, and having no chronic conditions were more likely to report good/excellent self-rated health than African American men who reported poor/fair health. Public Significance Statement While research and media have tended to focus on the relationship between gender ideals and men's health, we found that how African American men think about their faith or their religious practices was the most significant factor related to their assessment of their overall health and well-being. To refine strategies to improve men's health and achieve men's health equity, it is critical to conceptualize men's identities and ideals in ways that incorporate race, ethnicity, age, and other factors that are not rooted in, but intersect with, masculinities or gender.