Associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression: age effects from a population study of Australian men
Abstract Background Strict adherence to masculine norms has been associated with deleterious consequences for the physical and mental health of men. However, population-based research is lacking, and it remains unclear whether ageing influences adherence to masculine norms and the extent to which me...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00533-6 |
| _version_ | 1828963928936284160 |
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| author | Danielle Herreen Simon Rice Dianne Currier Marisa Schlichthorst Ian Zajac |
| author_facet | Danielle Herreen Simon Rice Dianne Currier Marisa Schlichthorst Ian Zajac |
| author_sort | Danielle Herreen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Strict adherence to masculine norms has been associated with deleterious consequences for the physical and mental health of men. However, population-based research is lacking, and it remains unclear whether ageing influences adherence to masculine norms and the extent to which mental health problems like depression are implicated. Methods This study reports on data from 14,516 males aged 15–55 years who participated in Wave 1 of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Male Health (Ten to Men). Group differences in self-reported conformity to masculine norms (CMNI-22), current depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and self-reported 12-month depression history were examined for males aged 15–17 years, 18–25 years, 26–35 years, 36–50 years, and 51–55 years. Generalised linear models were used to examine the relationships between these variables across age groups. Results Conformity to masculine norms decreased significantly with age. However, models predicting depression generally showed that higher conformity to masculine norms was associated with an increased risk of current depressive symptoms, especially in the oldest age group. Conversely, higher conformity was associated with a decreased likelihood of a self-reported 12-month depression history, although nuances were present between age groups, such that this trend was not evident in the oldest age group. Conclusions Findings provide important insights into the complex relationship between conformity to masculine norms and depressive symptoms across the lifespan and further highlight the importance of mental health campaigns that address the complexities of gendered help-seeking behaviour for men. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T10:38:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a523abf3b6ea4167b0ea7edcc32ae690 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T10:38:44Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-a523abf3b6ea4167b0ea7edcc32ae6902022-12-21T23:05:47ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832021-02-019111010.1186/s40359-021-00533-6Associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression: age effects from a population study of Australian menDanielle Herreen0Simon Rice1Dianne Currier2Marisa Schlichthorst3Ian Zajac4School of Psychology, University of AdelaideOrygenCentre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of MelbourneCentre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of MelbourneSchool of Psychology, University of AdelaideAbstract Background Strict adherence to masculine norms has been associated with deleterious consequences for the physical and mental health of men. However, population-based research is lacking, and it remains unclear whether ageing influences adherence to masculine norms and the extent to which mental health problems like depression are implicated. Methods This study reports on data from 14,516 males aged 15–55 years who participated in Wave 1 of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Male Health (Ten to Men). Group differences in self-reported conformity to masculine norms (CMNI-22), current depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and self-reported 12-month depression history were examined for males aged 15–17 years, 18–25 years, 26–35 years, 36–50 years, and 51–55 years. Generalised linear models were used to examine the relationships between these variables across age groups. Results Conformity to masculine norms decreased significantly with age. However, models predicting depression generally showed that higher conformity to masculine norms was associated with an increased risk of current depressive symptoms, especially in the oldest age group. Conversely, higher conformity was associated with a decreased likelihood of a self-reported 12-month depression history, although nuances were present between age groups, such that this trend was not evident in the oldest age group. Conclusions Findings provide important insights into the complex relationship between conformity to masculine norms and depressive symptoms across the lifespan and further highlight the importance of mental health campaigns that address the complexities of gendered help-seeking behaviour for men.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00533-6DepressionMasculinityMental healthAgeingLifespan |
| spellingShingle | Danielle Herreen Simon Rice Dianne Currier Marisa Schlichthorst Ian Zajac Associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression: age effects from a population study of Australian men BMC Psychology Depression Masculinity Mental health Ageing Lifespan |
| title | Associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression: age effects from a population study of Australian men |
| title_full | Associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression: age effects from a population study of Australian men |
| title_fullStr | Associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression: age effects from a population study of Australian men |
| title_full_unstemmed | Associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression: age effects from a population study of Australian men |
| title_short | Associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression: age effects from a population study of Australian men |
| title_sort | associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression age effects from a population study of australian men |
| topic | Depression Masculinity Mental health Ageing Lifespan |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00533-6 |
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