Abstract
The present study explored Mexican American men's experiences of psychotherapy, and their conceptualization and adherence to both Mexican American Masculinity and machismo. The convenience sample was composed of 12, second-generation Mexican American men who resided in Southern California. The study utilized a qualitative methodology and the data were collected using semi-structured, face-to-face, in-depth interviews. The interview protocol was developed by the primary researcher and consisted of three sections. These included contextual and background information, experience of psychotherapy, and conceptualization and adherence to masculinity and machismo. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The results indicated that the therapeutic relationship was the most important factor that positively influenced the experience of psychotherapy. Those participants who experienced a sound therapeutic relationship perceived psychotherapy as less threatening to their masculinity. Further, the quality of the therapeutic relationship was perceived as more important than the theoretical orientation or ethnicity of the psychotherapist. The findings also indicated a preference for an active and directive therapeutic style. Specifically, the directive approach that proved the most compelling to participants was a psychotherapeutic style that challenged their thinking. The present study also highlighted positive qualities of Mexican American masculinity that were consistent with the Mexican American values of familismo, dignidad, confianza, respeto, and personalismo. The study filled a gap within the psychological literature on Mexican American men's experience of psychotherapy. Findings may help psychotherapists decrease the likelihood that Mexican American men would prematurely terminate from psychotherapy.