Men’s anxiety: A systematic review

Fisher, Krista; Seidler, Zac E.; King, Kylie; Oliffe, John L.; Rice, Simon

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.136

Cited by 36 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…The true breadth and gravity of men's anxiety is unknown, which is particularly concerning given undetected and untreated anxiety predicts future deleterious mental health outcomes [3]. Indeed, there is emerging evidence suggesting a distinct male-type anxiety phenotype [13] characterised by physical symptoms (i.e., body pains, panic attacks and headaches), chronic recurrence of symptoms, and enduring out-of-control anxious sensations [16][17][18]. By comparison, restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance are the current diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5; [19]).…”

Section: Moving Beyond Sex-differences and Prevalence Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Traditional masculine norms prizing toughness, stoicism, self-reliance and emotional restrictiveness may be central in suppressing men's expression of anxiety in ways that align with the DSM-5 criteria [13,20]. More specifically, mental health professionals and men themselves are unlikely to identify anxiety if it varies from current diagnostic classifications and common understandings [21].…”

Section: Moving Beyond Sex-differences and Prevalence Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It also allows for the naming and nuance of masculine norms that can emerge as simultaneously protective against anxiety in some contexts, and harmful in others [35,36]. The masculine norm of toughness is an example, serving as a protective factor against anxiety by norming resiliencies and grit to counter and contest negative cognitive distortions towards oneself and the world [13,36]. However, toughness can also encourage the concealment or masking of anxiety symptoms, ultimately delaying men's attempts to seek help or cope with their anxiety [37,38].…”

Section: Men Anxiety and Masculinitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…anxiety phenotype, which falls outside of current diagnostic classifications and mental health services [13]. Secondly, strategies that promote positive and productive help-giving behaviours must be outlined to upskill men's friends and family in providing informal support that is both needed and wanted by men with anxiety [2].…”

Section: Informal Support: a Promising Intervention For Men's Anxietymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Epidemiological findings are largely confined to sex differences, juxtaposing all males with all females, to imply anxiety disorders may be less prevalent and by extension less debilitating with respect to men's overall wellbeing and social and emotional functioning [10][11][12]. Such sex difference analyses limit, and at times distract from thoughtful consideration of men's diverse lived experiences of anxiety [11,13]. In this commentary, we summarise the critical issues surrounding men's anxiety and highlight largely unexplored implications, including associations with men's suicidality [14,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Men’s anxiety, why it matters, and what is needed to limit its risk for male suicide

et al. 2022

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Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health disorder experienced by men. If left untreated, anxiety is predictive of psychiatric disorders including depression and associated suicide risk. Despite the prevalence and impact of men’s anxiety, it remains largely overlooked in the field of men’s mental health. Globally, men are reported to have lower rates of anxiety disorders compared to women; however, these sex-differences do not reflect the complexity and nuance of men’s experiences. There is early evidence to suggest a male-type anxiety phenotype which may go undetected with generic diagnostic classifications. Masculine norms (i.e., stoicism, toughness, invulnerability) appear to be central to men’s experiences and expressions of anxiety as well as men’s help-seeking and coping behaviours. This is particularly concerning given anxiety increases men’s risk of physical and psychological comorbidities and suicide risk. The effective assessment, detection and treatment of men’s anxiety is therefore critical to improve mental health outcomes across the male lifespan. We propose three key recommendations for the field of men’s anxiety: (i) to develop a theoretical model surrounding men’s experiences of anxiety, (ii) broaden mental health resources, interventions and suicide prevention strategies to encompass men’s gendered experiences of anxiety (e.g., sentiments of shame, physical symptom manifestation), and (iii) utilise informal supports (i.e., friends and family) as an avenue of intervention to improve men’s anxiety outcomes. Without a substantial research agenda in men’s anxiety, we will fail to recognise and respond to men’s gendered experiences of anxiety and ultimately fail to reduce male suicides.

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Section: Moving Beyond Sex-differences and Prevalence Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Moving Beyond Sex-differences and Prevalence Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Men Anxiety and Masculinitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Informal Support: a Promising Intervention For Men's Anxietymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Men’s anxiety, why it matters, and what is needed to limit its risk for male suicide

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Concerns experienced by parents of children treated for cancer: A qualitative study to inform adaptations to an internet‐administered, low‐intensity cognitive behavioral therapy intervention

et al. 2022

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Objective: Childhood cancer treatment completion is associated with mental health difficulties and negative socioeconomic consequences for parents. However, psychological support needs are often unmet. We developed an internet-administered, guided, low-intensity cognitive behavioral therapy-based self-help intervention (EJDeR) and examined feasibility and acceptability with a single-arm feasibility trial (ENGAGE). Results suggest EJDeR is acceptable, however, adherence, especially for fathers, could be improved. Following the Medical Research Council complex interventions framework, this study explores concerns experienced by parents actively seeking support related to their child's cancer who were recruited into ENGAGE to inform further adaptation of EJDeR.Method: Seventy-three semi-structured interviews (26 fathers, 47 mothers) were conducted, with data analyzed using manifest content analysis. Results: Analysis resulted in seven categories: (1) Feeling lost and lonely in life; (2) Low mood; (3) Parenting difficulties; (4) Productivity difficulties; (5) Relationship challenges; (6) Stress reactions; and (7) Worry. With the exception of subcategories Afraid of not being a good parent, Cancer recurrence, and Child's development and future a somewhat higher percentage of mothers than fathers mentioned all identified concerns. Conclusion:Parents described experiencing a range of concerns after their child had completed cancer treatment. EJDeR will be adapted to address these concerns and include indirect intervention modules targeting concerns such as stress. Information to support parenting, relationships, finance, and employment difficulties, alongside signposting to inform help-seeking, will be included. Findings also suggest a need to improve the gender-sensitivity of EJDeR.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.

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Malignancy, masculinities, and psychological distress: Comparisons made between men with testicular cancer and healthy controls

Dax,

Ftanou,

Tran

et al. 2023

Psycho-Oncology

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ObjectivePsychological distress is common in men with testicular cancer (TC), and masculinities may work to explain this. This study aimed to compare masculinities and distress in TC and healthy control (HC) populations and explore relationships between correlates of distress (psychological flexibility and coping style) and masculinities in TC.MethodsA cross‐sectional, online survey was completed by 92 men with TC (Mage = 34.8) and 90 HC (Mage = 30.7). Measures included psychological distress (Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression/Anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence inventory‐short form), masculinities (gender role conflict‐short form, inventory of subjective masculinity experiences/subjective masculinity stress scale, masculinity in chronic disease inventory), coping style (mini‐mental adjustment to cancer ) and psychological flexibility (comprehensive assessment of acceptance commitment therapy). Linear regressions were conducted to compare groups and analyse associations.ResultsThere were no differences in masculinities or psychological distress between populations (all p > 0.05 and all Cohen's d < 0.20), except for subjective masculine stress and restrictive affectionate behaviour between men. For men with TC, restrictive affection/emotion, conflicts between family/work and subjective masculine stress were associated with psychological distress (rs 0.21–0.58). Optimistic action was negatively associated with depression/anxiety, helplessness/hopelessness coping (rs −0.27 to −0.42) and positively associated with psychological flexibility (r = 0.35).ConclusionsMasculinities are implicated in psychological distress in men with TC. Psychological flexibility as well as leveraging masculine beliefs (e.g., optimistic action) may be modifiable targets to reduce distress in men with TC.

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Men’s anxiety: A systematic review

Cited by 36 publications

References 84 publications

Men’s anxiety, why it matters, and what is needed to limit its risk for male suicide

Men’s anxiety, why it matters, and what is needed to limit its risk for male suicide

Concerns experienced by parents of children treated for cancer: A qualitative study to inform adaptations to an internet‐administered, low‐intensity cognitive behavioral therapy intervention

Malignancy, masculinities, and psychological distress: Comparisons made between men with testicular cancer and healthy controls

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