Men’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

Abstract

Background: Mental health issues can be more severe in men vulnerable to isolation and loneliness during a pandemic because of social distancing and isolation measures. The purpose of this study was to identify current research trends and the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on men's mental health through a scoping review, and to make recommendations for improvements. Methods: This study conducted a scoping review to explore and analyze research trends on the effect of COVID-19 on men's mental health during the period January 2020 to October 2021. The PubMed and CINAHL databases, as well as Google Scholar, were used to identify relevant studies. The two researchers individually reviewed the studies, and all references were reviewed to determine the final sample of included studies. Results: A total of 27 studies were included in the analysis. Of all the studies, 14 were descriptive, one was quasi-experimental, and six were qualitative. Remaining studies included four commentaries, one case study, and one review. COVID-19 was found to impact the following areas of men's mental health at the individual level: psychological distress, addictive behaviors, sleep, well-being, cognitive function, and coping. At the interpersonal level, family outcomes, community belonging, and violence were impacted. At the social level, masculinity, inequity, and social service changes were affected. Intervention strategies for men's mental health during COVID-19 recommended by these studies were also divided into three levels (individual, interpersonal, and social level). Conclusions: Efforts should be made to improve mental health services for men who may experience anxiety, depression, and anger, along with the physical health concerns of the COVID-19 era.

Ontario Adults’ Mental Health and Wellbeing During the First 16 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Specifically, the study sample primarily consisted of White women of high socioeconomic status and thus, the mental health of Ontario adults of different genders, ethnicities, and low socioeconomic status is largely unknown. This information is important, especially considering international researchers have found that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of men (Park & Yu, 2022), sexual and gender minority populations (Moore et al, 2021), and ethnic minorities (Smith et al, 2020), with minority populations being disproportionately affected (Moore et al, 2021). Moreover, Chung et al (2021) explored whether the mental health and wellbeing of adults who were socioeconomically disadvantaged was worse than those of high socioeconomic status.…”

Mindfulness and psychological distress in men during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The mediating role of environmental mastery and purpose in life

“…Individual, interpersonal and contextual factors, such as intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation, poor or lack of social support, isolation, financial stressors and increasing unemployment rates (Ellison et al, 2021; Palma, de Sousa, et al, 2022; Palma, Sousa, et al, 2022; Park & Yu, 2022) might lead to greater psychological suffering in men. For example, Park and Yu (2022) highlighted that isolation and loneliness severely impacted men’s mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Further, they observed an increase in studies dealing with men's adverse mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and use of substances (e.g., alcohol and tobacco).…”

“…In fact, several determinants of men's psychological distress have been reported over the last 2 years (Palma, de Sousa, et al, 2022; Palma, Sousa, et al, 2022; Park & Yu, 2022). For instance, common mental disorders (i.e., indicators of anxiety, depression and stress‐related disorders) and perceived stress (i.e., individuals' appraisal of life stressors and their ability to cope with them effectively) have been consistently associated with intraindividual (e.g., intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation and coping strategies) and contextual (e.g., socio‐economic status, monthly income and marital status) variables, to varying degrees (Palma, de Sousa, et al, 2022; Palma, Sousa, et al, 2022; Park & Yu, 2022). However, the processes that might help protect individuals against psychological distress in the COVID‐19 context still warrant further investigation.…”

“…Individual, interpersonal and contextual factors, such as intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation, poor or lack of social support, isolation, financial stressors and increasing unemployment rates (Ellison et al, 2021;Park & Yu, 2022) might lead to greater psychological suffering in men.…”

“…For example, Park and Yu (2022) highlighted that isolation and loneliness severely impacted men's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, they observed an increase in studies dealing with men's adverse mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and use of substances (e.g., alcohol and tobacco).…”