Men's Formal Help-Seeking for Eating and/or Body Image Psychopathology: A Systematic Review of Barriers and Facilitators

This systematic review synthesized findings from 15 articles that report barriers and/or facilitators to/of adult men’s formal health-related help-seeking for eating and/or body image psychopathology (EBIP). A convergent integrated approach was used to summarize studies into eight synthesized findings (SF; six barriers, two facilitators). Barrier SFs are located at individual (e.g., viewing EBIP as a “women’s illness”), cultural (e.g., lacking knowledge of men’s EBIP), and organizational (e.g., lack of male-inclusive healthcare systems) levels. Facilitator SFs were found mostly at individual (e.g., recognition of the issue following critical life events) and cultural/social (e.g., family/peer interventions) levels. This review highlights concerns within EBIP and men’s help-seeking literature, and suggests issues with the available support for men experiencing EBIP.