Expressions of masculinity and associations with suicidal ideation among young males

Abstract

Background: Adolescent boys and young men are at particular risk of suicide. Suicidal ideation is an important risk factor for suicide, but is poorly understood among adolescent males. Some masculine behaviors have been associated with deleterious effects on health, yet there has been little quantitative examination of associations between masculinity and suicide or suicidal ideation, particularly among boys/young men. This study aimed to examine associations between conformity to masculine norms and suicidal ideation in a sample of adolescents.Methods: A prospective cohort design, this study drew on a sample of 829 Australian boys/young men from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health. Boys were 15-18 years at baseline, and 17-20 years at follow-up. Masculine norms (Wave 1), were measured using the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI-22). Suicidal ideation (Wave 2) was a single-item from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for available confounders including parental education, Indigenous Australian identity and area disadvantage.Results: In adjusted models, greater conformity to violent norms (OR = 1.23, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.03-1.47) and self-reliance norms (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15-1.70) was associated with higher odds of reporting suicidal ideation. Greater conformity to norms regarding heterosexuality was associated with reduced odds of reporting suicidal ideation (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-0.91). Conclusions: These results suggest that conforming to some masculine norms may be deleterious to the mental health of young males, placing them at greater risk of suicidal ideation. The results highlight the importance of presenting young males with alternative and multiple ways of being a male. Facilitating a relaxation of norms regarding self-reliance, and encouraging help-seeking, is vital. Furthermore, dismantling norms that rigidly enforce masculine norms, particularly in relation to heteronormativity, is likely to benefit the broad population of males, not only those who do not conform to heterosexual and other masculine norms.

Men’s Dropout From Mental Health Services: Results From a Survey of Australian Men Across the Life Span

“…Intersectional understanding of the overlap between gender and health has long understood younger men as identity forming and unemployed men as experiencing health inequities, both of which appear to intersect with masculinities to deter mental health service engagement among these men (Griffith et al, 2016). These subgroups are uniquely at risk of suicide (King et al, 2020; Milner et al, 2014), highlighting a unique and complex interaction between masculine identity formation, mental health stigma, and help-seeking among young and/or unemployed men requiring further investigation. Given unemployed men were more likely to drop out due to the feeling that therapy “didn’t work” and younger men were more likely to drop out due to the expense of treatment, perhaps men from these demographics require a higher level of proof that therapy is worth their time given their social situations may not be most conducive to engagement with often expensive and time-consuming therapy.…”

Gender stereotypes and biases in early childhood: A systematic review

“…Gender bias, prejudices and stereotypes are costly at an individual and population level: they may limit educational, recreational and ultimately employment opportunities for girls and boys (Arthur et al, 2008), as well as health and well-being. It is known, for example, that egalitarian gender attitudes are associated with better mental health amongst both girls and boys in adolescence (King et al, 2019), and relatedly, certain masculine norms are associated with suicidality amongst young males (King et al, 2020). Given the potential damage and cost imposed by stereotypes, biases and restrictive gender norms at both an individual and a societal level, there are clear imperatives to address them.…”

Factors Related to the Level of Depression and Suicidal Behavior Among Men With Diagnosed Depression, Physically Ill Men, and Healthy Men

“…More specifically, estimates indicate that ~60% of suicide victims suffered from major depressive disorder and other mood disorders ( 6 ). Masculine norms may be deleterious to the mental health of young males, placing them at greater risk of suicidal ideation ( 7 ).…”