Men and Depression: The Impact of Masculine Role Norms Throughout the Lifespan

Rice, Simon; Fallon, Barry John; Bambling, Matthew

doi:10.1375/aedp.28.2.133

Cited by 63 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…While the present survey did not assess men’s gender role conformity, it is clear from previous research that adherence to masculine norms can influence men’s attitude towards help-seeking [ 11 , 51 ], and can affect which strategies they use in times of distress [ 8 , 52 ]. Furthermore, adhering to masculine norms may be especially important to younger men [ 53 ]. Thus, developing an understanding of the relative importance of ‘masculinity’ to an individual’s identity may significantly assist in successfully supporting men to self-manage their depression.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive strategies men regularly use to prevent and manage depression: a national survey of Australian men

et al. 2015

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BackgroundMen are at greater risk than women of dying by suicide. One in eight will experience depression – a leading contributor to suicide – in their lifetime and men often delay seeking treatment. Previous research has focused on men’s use of unhelpful coping strategies, with little emphasis on men’s productive responses. The present study examines the positive strategies men use to prevent and manage depression.MethodA national online survey investigated Australian men’s use of positive strategies, including 26 strategies specifically nominated by men in a previous qualitative study. Data were collected regarding frequency of use or openness to using untried strategies, depression risk, depression symptoms, demographic factors, and other strategies suggested by men. Multivariate regression analyses explored relationships between regular use of strategies and other variables.ResultsIn total, 465 men aged between 18 and 74 years participated. The mean number of strategies used was 16.8 (SD 4.1) for preventing depression and 15.1 (SD 5.1) for management. The top five prevention strategies used regularly were eating healthily (54.2 %), keeping busy (50.1 %), exercising (44.9 %), humour (41.1 %) and helping others (35.7 %). The top five strategies used for management were taking time out (35.7 %), rewarding myself (35.1 %), keeping busy (35.1 %), exercising (33.3 %) and spending time with a pet (32.7 %). With untried strategies, a majority (58 %) were open to maintaining a relationship with a mentor, and nearly half were open to using meditation, mindfulness or gratitude exercises, seeing a health professional, or setting goals. In multivariate analyses, lower depression risk as measured by the Male Depression Risk Scale was associated with regular use of self-care, achievement-based and cognitive strategies, while lower scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was associated with regular use of cognitive strategies.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that the men in the study currently use, and are open to using, a broad range of practical, social, emotional, cognitive and problem-solving strategies to maintain their mental health. This is significant for men in the community who may not be in contact with professional health services and would benefit from health messages promoting positive strategies as effective tools in the prevention and management of depression.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive strategies men regularly use to prevent and manage depression: a national survey of Australian men

et al. 2015

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“…According to the dysfunction-strain paradigm ( Pleck, 1995 ), socially desirable expectations associated with being a man, including avoidance of femininity, aggression, and self-reliance, can have deleterious effects on mental health ( Levant & Richmond, 2016 ). Consequently, strict adherence to masculine norms are often unrealistic and unattainable, and thus men may experience stress in attempting to fulfill these norms, which can put them at risk for emotional difficulties, including depression ( Pleck, 1995 ; Rice, Fallon, & Bambling, 2011 ). There appears to be compelling evidence that masculinity-related constructs are significantly associated with psychological problems among men ( O’Neil, 2012 ; Wong et al, 2017 ), yet more research is needed to investigate specific dimensions of masculine norms that may be distinctly associated with depressive symptomatology ( Gerdes & Levant, 2017 ).…”

Section: Dysfunction Strain Paradigmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Masculinity and Depression: A Longitudinal Investigation of Multidimensional Masculine Norms Among College Men

et al. 2018

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The transition from high school to college represents a pivotal developmental period that may result in significant maladjustment for first-year college men. Men may feel pressured to “prove” their masculinity by engaging in traditional masculine behaviors that could be negative for their overall well-being. Although adherence to multidimensional masculine norms has been associated with poorer mental health, no studies have examined the role of masculine norms on prospective depressive symptoms among first-year college men. Examining college men’s adherence to multidimensional masculine norms longitudinally can offer a promising theoretical framework to explain within-group variability in depression symptomatology. The sample included 322 men from the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Masculine norms were assessed during the beginning of their first year of college. Depressive symptomatology was assessed 6 months after the first wave of data collection. Masculine norms were positively and negatively related to prospective depression scores, such that men who endorsed the masculine norms of Self-Reliance, Playboy (i.e., desire to have multiple sexual partners), and Violence, had heightened risk, whereas men who endorsed Winning and Power Over Women were less likely to report depressive symptomatology. Distinct masculine norms appear to confer risk for depression while other norms appear to be protective. This study was the first to examine the role of multidimensional masculine norms on prospective depressive symptomatology among college men. The results suggest that practitioners working with men should consider assessing their clients’ adherence to distinct masculine norms and explore how these might be impacting their current mental health.

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“…Indeed, even when men see a health professional, they may not always disclose psychological distress [ 16 ]. Furthermore, men with more severe depression report higher perceived barriers to help-seeking [ 17 ], and there are persistent barriers to successful detection and management of depression [ 16 , 18 ]. For example, general practitioners (GPs) cite not having sufficient training in mental health and a lack of confidence in managing symptoms as specific barriers [ 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary Evaluation of a Brief Web and Mobile Phone Intervention for Men With Depression: Men’s Positive Coping Strategies and Associated Depression, Resilience, and Work and Social Functioning

et al. 2017

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BackgroundPrevious research has identified that men experiencing depression do not always access appropriate health services. Web-based interventions represent an alternative treatment option for men, are effective in reducing anxiety and depression, and have potential for wide dissemination. However, men do not access Web-based programs at the same rate as women. Programs with content explicitly tailored to men’s mental health needs are required.ObjectiveThis study evaluated the applicability of Man Central, a new Web and mobile phone intervention for men with depression. The impact of the use of Man Central on depression, resilience, and work and social functioning was assessed.MethodsA recruitment flier was distributed via social media, email networks, newsletters, research registers, and partner organizations. A single-group, repeated measures design was used. The primary outcome was symptoms of depression. Secondary outcomes included externalizing symptoms, resilience, and work and social functioning. Man Central comprises regular mood, symptom, and behavior monitoring, combined with three 15-min interactive sessions. Clinical features are grounded in cognitive behavior therapy and problem-solving therapy. A distinguishing feature is the incorporation of positive strategies identified by men as useful in preventing and managing depression. Participants were directed to use Man Central for a period of 4 weeks. Linear mixed modeling with intention-to-treat analysis assessed associations between the intervention and the primary and secondary outcomes.ResultsA total of 144 men aged between 18 and 68 years and with at least mild depression enrolled in the study. The symptoms most often monitored by men included motivation (471 instances), depression (399), sleep (323), anxiety (316), and stress (262). Reminders were scheduled by 60.4% (87/144). Significant improvements were observed in depression symptoms (P<.001, d=0.68), depression risk, and externalizing symptoms (P<.001, d=0.88) and work and social functioning (P<.001, d=0.78). No change was observed in measures of resilience. Participants reported satisfaction with the program, with a majority saying that it was easy (42/51, 82%) and convenient (41/51, 80%) to use. Study attrition was high; 27.1% (39/144) and 8.3% (12/144) of the participants provided complete follow-up data and partial follow-up data, respectively, whereas the majority (93/144, 64.6%) did not complete follow-up measures.ConclusionsThis preliminary evaluation demonstrated the potential of using electronic health (eHealth) tools to deliver self-management strategies to men with depressive symptoms. Man Central may meet the treatment needs of a subgroup of depressed men who are willing to engage with an e-mental health program. With further research, it may provide an acceptable option to those unwilling or unable to access traditional mental health services. Given the limitations of the study design, prospective studies are required, using controlled designs to further elucidate the effect of...

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Men and Depression: The Impact of Masculine Role Norms Throughout the Lifespan

Cited by 63 publications

References 56 publications

Positive strategies men regularly use to prevent and manage depression: a national survey of Australian men

Positive strategies men regularly use to prevent and manage depression: a national survey of Australian men

Masculinity and Depression: A Longitudinal Investigation of Multidimensional Masculine Norms Among College Men

Preliminary Evaluation of a Brief Web and Mobile Phone Intervention for Men With Depression: Men’s Positive Coping Strategies and Associated Depression, Resilience, and Work and Social Functioning

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