Body image as a case topic for eliciting sensitive health experiences in men

Zucchelli, Fabio; Ahuja, Latika; Herring, Beth; Gentili, Caterina; Smith, Jade; Lewis-Smith, Helena

Abstract

Understanding the needs and experiences of men across many areas of health and well-being has been obstructed by an ongoing difficulty for researchers to sufficiently engage men in qualitative health research. To reach novel, broader insights and ideas in the field of health and social sciences, we reflect on our experiences as researchers in body image, a field historically focused on women, to offer strategies on engaging men in qualitative health research. We present our ideas in three main sections, all underpinned by the centrality of stakeholder involvement and an awareness of the role of masculinities in shaping the research process. First, we address practical methods to reach men as participants. Second, we explore ways of maintaining men’s engagement following recruitment, such as novel approaches to language use in research materials. Lastly, we turn to the thorny challenge of eliciting high-quality data through the process of data collection. We consider tangible strategies as well as a heightened awareness of our positionality as researchers.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 16, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jul 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 16, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 3, 2025
• Journal: Qualitative Health Research
• Print ISSN: 1049-7323
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-7557
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323251342923
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/14313996