IS HAVING A HAIRCUT GOOD FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

Tamika Roper (roper.tamika@gmail.com)
Dept of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, London, TW20 0EX
John Barry (john.barry@ucl.ac.uk)
University College London, Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, London WC1E 6BT

Abstract

Background: In general, men seek psychological help less than women do, and black men are less likely to seek psychological help than white men. It could be that men find wellbeing benefits in other activities. Barbershops have a reputation amongst the black community as enjoyable places to socialize and bond, therefore the aim of this study was to find out whether black men get wellbeing benefits from going to the barbershop.

Methods: Cross-sectional online survey; 149 white and 53 black participants completed the questionnaires.

Results: Analysis revealed that, controlling for age, black men socialised and talked at the hairstylist significantly more than white men or black or white women (p <.01).

Conclusions: These are the first empirical findings that black men might find wellbeing benefits from a visit to the barber. Implications for health promotion are discussed.

Author Biography

Clinical Psychology Masters Student at Royal Holloway, expected to complete in 2017.

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