Title: Seeking Healthcare Services in Hockey: Understanding Health Behaviours in a Masculine Sport Subculture
Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Andrea Bundon
Committee members: Dr. Moss Norman, Dr. Desmond McEwan
Defence Chair: Dr. Patricia Vertinsky
Abstract:
Despite receiving more power, privilege, and opportunity than women in most societal contexts, men experience a lower life expectancy, higher rates of life-threatening disease, and a higher rate of successful suicide. We laud sports as an opportunity to improve health through exercise and social connection, yet we fail to consider the consequences sport cultures may have on men’s health behaviours, specifically their relations with seeking healthcare services. Literature suggests that the same traits and characteristics associated with gender-based violence, misogyny, and homophobia – collectively associated with the umbrella term “toxic masculinity”- are also responsible for men’s negative health behaviours. This study focuses on the influence these characteristics have on health behaviours in a masculine sport context. Informed by hegemonic theory (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005) and hybrid masculinities (Bridges & Pascoe, 2014) and underpinned by a constructionist paradigm, 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with male hockey players (age 17-20) in the Western Hockey League and British Columbia Hockey League to understand how hockey culture shapes men’s health behaviours and their use of healthcare services for both preventative and reactive reasons. While notions of an “old-school attitude” still exist in Canadian hockey culture, this research identified a shift toward health-promoting ideals in the hockey community, offering hope for continuous improvement in player health and safety. Using a reflexive thematic analysis, four main themes were developed: (1) on-going cultural shift, (2) health – not healthcare; (3) performance as the priority; and (4) influence of the hierarchy. These findings provide context to the social environment of junior hockey in Western Canada and provide insight into the health behaviours of athletes from a sport culture which has been the focus of much scrutiny and criticism. These findings also have the potential to inform policy development and effective intervention or education programs.