Masculinity norms and occupational role orientations in men treated for depression

Abstract

A traditional male role orientation is considered to increase the risk of depression and preventing men from disclosing symptoms of mental illness and seeking professional help.Less is known about the variance of masculinity orientations in men already treated for depression and their role in the treatment process. In this study, patterns of masculinity norms and work role orientations will be identified among men treated for depression. Associations of these patterns with depressive symptoms, stigma and delay in professional helpseeking will be investigated. MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, male role orientations (MRNS), work-related attitudes (AVEM), symptoms of mental disorders (PHQ), and attitudes related to stigma of mental illness (DSS) were assessed by standardized methods in a sample of 250 men treated for depression in general medical, psychiatric and psychotherapeutic services. Data were analyzed by means of latent profile analysis (LPA), by multinomial and linear regression models, and by path analysis. ResultsThe results of LPA revealed three latent classes of men treated for depression. Men assigned to class one reported a less traditional male role orientation, low professional ambitions and low coping capacities; men assigned to class two reported a traditional masculinity orientation, high professional ambitions but low coping capacities; men assigned to class three reported less traditional masculinity tended orientations, medium professional ambitions and high coping capacities. Men assigned to classes one and two to have more

Measurement invariance and psychometric properties of a German-language Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory among cisgender sexual minority and heterosexually identified women and men.

“…For this reason, assessments of the adherence to or the endorsement of masculinity ideologies (i.e., the belief that men are supposed to be as depicted by masculinity ideologies), or gender role conflict (i.e., the feeling of discomfort when behaving in conflict with masculinity ideologies) have been adapted and used in German-speaking samples. Similar to findings in the United States, studies in German-speaking countries found links between strong endorsement of or adherence to masculinity ideologies and an increased prevalence of mental health problems, a reluctance to seek formal help, body dissatisfaction, or discomfort in “female-dominated” occupations (Eggenberger et al, 2022; Kilian et al, 2020; Komlenac et al, 2019; Komlenac & Hochleitner, 2022a; Sobiraj et al, 2015; Walther et al, 2022).…”

Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Men With Depression: A Qualitative Study

“…In the first step, based on a sample of 250 men with depression, a latent class analysis was performed and three types of a combination of masculinity orientation and job-related attitudes were identified (15). In the second step, twelve biographical interviews with four representatives of each class were conducted in order to get a deeper understanding of class membership in respect to subjective illness theories and coping processes among men with depression (16).…”

Teaching Gender Competency with Men in Mind: Foundations of an Online Training Program for Mental Health Practitioners

“…Dominant masculine ideals throughout much of the Western world can dictate that those who identify as men should be seen as strong, self-reliant, and stoic, especially in the face of adversity and have long been linked to men’s relatively low rates of mental health help-seeking (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; Kilian et al, 2020; Seidler et al, 2016; Staiger et al, 2020). Public health campaigns have sought to de-stigmatize men’s mental illness and help-seeking (King et al, 2018) and there have been increases in the number of men attending professional mental health services (e.g., in-person or technology-facilitated talk therapy with psychologists, social workers, counselors—collectively referred to as mental health practitioners; Brandstetter et al, 2017; Harris et al, 2015).…”