Narratives on Depression, Masculinity and Work. A Study With Life Stories of Chilean Men

Abstract

Each year in Chile, one in ten men have demonstrated signs or symptoms of depression. (MINSAL, 2018; Center for Conflict and Social Cohesion Studies, 2018). However, both in the country and in the rest of Latin America, there are few studies that address male depression from its qualitative and narrative aspects. The aim of this study was to analyze reports of depression in men and their references to concepts of hegemonic masculinity. A qualitative study was carried out with interviews with five Chilean men who experienced a depressive process. With a life story methodology, the depressive processes in each biography were explored. The results show that men report depression and malaise from a crisis or main drama, and according to aspects that challenge the values of hegemonic masculinity.