Bryan Davis, PsyD, MS: Exploring Masculinity Norms in MS

“I just kept seeing this consistency of men having challenges in terms of health behaviors due to the conflict of gender norms.”

Bryan Davis, PsyD, MS, is leading the charge with a new study that crosses psychological conformity of masculine norms and the effects it may have on coping, health behaviors, and quality of life in men with multiple sclerosis (MS). The project was featured as 1 of the top 10 research projects this year by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), and will examine and describe these associations in hopes that it can improve care for male patients with MS.

The psychology fellow at the Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research at Cleveland Clinic claims that his health psychology background in other different populations motivated him to learn more about how it may impact MS. For MS, the hypothesis that cognitive and psychical disabilities along with the natural pressures of adhering to masculine norms may ultimately build strain and cause negative effect.

In an interview with NeurologyLive, Davis lays out his reasoning for what sparked this new study and why there is so much to learn about masculinity norms and their effect on MS.