Adherence to Masculine Norms and Depressive Symptoms in Young Black Men

Social Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-244
Author(s):  
Janelle R Goodwill ◽  
Natasha C Johnson ◽  
Daphne C Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Emotional Control ◽  
Conformity To Masculine Norms ◽  
Masculine Norms ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Mental Wellness ◽  
Survey Responses

Abstract Recent reports have highlighted disparities in representation of Black men within research, calling for more work to be done with this group. The authors take up this call by exploring whether adherence to masculine norms influences mental health outcomes among young Black men. The sample included survey responses from 18- to 30-year-old Black men (N = 273) enrolled at five colleges and universities in the midwestern United States. Two theoretically relevant subscales from the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (that is, self-reliance and emotional control) were used to measure adherence to masculine norms, and depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicate that the model fit the data well. Furthermore, self-reliance was associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms (β = .358, p < .001), but emotional control was not (β = .137, p = .099). Study findings suggest that depression treatment interventions should be tailored to incorporate aspects of masculinity that are most salient to young Black men. In addition, social work researchers, clinicians, and service providers are uniquely positioned to contribute to the promotion of mental wellness among this underserved population and should be prepared to attend to young Black men’s mental health needs.

scholarly journals Dark Triad traits as predictors of adherence to traditional masculine norms in men

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-569
Author(s):  
George Van Doorn ◽  
Jacob Dye
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Antisocial Behaviour ◽  
Dark Triad ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional Control ◽  
Conformity To Masculine Norms ◽  
Masculine Norms ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Callous Affect ◽  
Predicted Risk

The present study examined whether Dark Triad traits explain variance in men’s adherence to traditional masculine norms (Playboy, Self-Reliance, Emotional Control, Winning, Violence, Heterosexual Self-Presentation, Risk-Taking, and Power over Women). Two-hundred and thirty-seven English speaking men (aged 18 to 62 years) completed online versions of the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale-III, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Mach-IV, and the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory-29. Results from regression analyses showed that the psychopathic trait Callous Affect positively predicted men’s Need to Win, Emotional Control, Violence, and Power Over Women; Erratic Lifestyle was a positive predictor of Risk-Taking; and Antisocial Behaviour was a positive predictor of Playboy. Machiavellianism predicted only Violence. The Narcissistic sub-trait Leadership positively predicted Risk-Taking; Manipulativeness predicted Risk-Taking and Violence; Superiority predicted Risk-Taking and Power over Women; Vanity predicted Self-Reliance; and Exhibitionism predicted Emotional Control. We conclude that whilst Callous Affect appears to hold the highest predictive validity, the Dark Triad traits differentially predict adherence to specific masculine norms.

Can Watching a Television Documentary Change the Way Men View Masculinity?

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie King ◽  
Marisa Schlichthorst ◽  
Louise Keogh ◽  
Lennart Reifels ◽  
Matthew J. Spittal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Web Survey ◽  
Conformity To Masculine Norms ◽  
Masculine Norms ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Television Documentary

Men’s conformity to masculine norms, such as stoicism and self-reliance, has been shown to be associated with a range of negative psychological outcomes. We developed Man Up—a three-part documentary that examined the link between masculinity, mental health, and suicide for men in Australia. We conducted a multifaceted evaluation that included a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and a web survey. RCT participants and web survey respondents were asked how their views of the term “man up” had changed since watching the documentary. This article provides feedback from the 306 men who responded to this question. Participants commented on how the documentary prompted them to rethink stereotypes of masculinity. The findings suggest that the documentary had a positive impact on men.

scholarly journals The Influence of Masculine Norms and Mental Health on Health Literacy Among Men: Evidence From the Ten to Men Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 155798831987353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Milner ◽  
Marissa Shields ◽  
Tania King
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
P Value ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Conformity To Masculine Norms ◽  
Masculine Norms

Background: Adherence to masculine norms, such as self-reliance, has been thought to predict lower health literacy. Additionally, males with poor mental health may have low health literacy. Using two waves of the Ten to Men cohort, the current study examined whether masculinity and depressive symptomology explained three aspects of health literacy among men. Methods: Three subscales of the Health Literacy Questionnaire were used as the outcomes: Ability to find good health information; Ability to actively engage with healthcare providers, and Feeling understood and supported by healthcare providers. Exposures were masculine norms, measured by the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI-22), and depressive symptoms, measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). We controlled for confounders of the relationship between exposure and outcome. Ordinary least squares regression was used to assess the CMNI and depressive symptoms (measured in Wave 1) on health literacy (measured in Wave 2). Results: Across all three health literacy scales, increased global conformity to masculine norms was associated with a decrease in health literacy. Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were likewise associated with a decrease in health literacy on all three scales, with the effects particularly strong for “Ability to engage with healthcare providers” (coef. −1.54, 95% CI [−1.84, −1.24], p value < .001). Conclusions: The results of this article highlight that both conformity to masculine norms and depressive symptoms may be predictors of health literacy among men. The results of this study suggest the need for health literacy media campaigns that address the complexities of gendered help-seeking behaviors. Trial registration: Not applicable.

scholarly journals Associations between conformity to masculine norms and depression: age effects from a population study of Australian men

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Herreen ◽  
Simon Rice ◽  
Dianne Currier ◽  
Marisa Schlichthorst ◽  
Ian Zajac
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Strict Adherence ◽  
Conformity To Masculine Norms ◽  
Masculine Norms ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Depression History

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.

scholarly journals Improving the Living, Learning, and Thriving of Young Black Men: A Conceptual Framework for Reflection and Projection

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphne C. Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Masculine Norms ◽  
Mental Health Challenges ◽  
And Gender

Black men experience disproportionate mental health challenges due to their exposure to severe psychosocial stressors. Yet, the mental health challenges of Black men have largely been left out of national conversations. Strong theoretical frameworks are important when generating dialogue about the mental health of Black men, as it helps to validate the work on a larger scale while also grounding the work for more practical use. This paper presents the conceptual framework for a five-year initiative aimed at improving the living, learning, and thriving of young Black men through a social media intervention that improves their mental health, expands their definitions of manhood, and helps them to engage in social support. The Young, Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project is a social media-based, health promotion program that targets mental health (e.g., depressive symptoms), masculine norms (e.g., definitions of manhood), and social support for young Black men using culturally-sensitive, age-appropriate, and gender-specific popular culture. The YBMen project has been successfully implemented with over 150+ Black men since 2014; findings demonstrate improved mental health outcomes, progressive definitions of manhood, and stronger social relationships. Reflections from the past and projections for the future are discussed.

scholarly journals An Online Behavioral Health Intervention Promoting Mental Health, Manhood, and Social Support for Young Black Men: The YBMen Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 155798832093721
Author(s):  
Daphne C. Watkins ◽  
Janelle R. Goodwill ◽  
Natasha C. Johnson ◽  
Allura Casanova ◽  
Tao Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Behavioral Health Care ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Conformity To Masculine Norms ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
And Gender

Conventional definitions of mental health, manhood, and social support create barriers to accessing behavioral health care for Black men ages 18 to 30. Targeted behavioral health interventions sensitive to culture, social norms, and gender that circumvent these barriers are desperately needed to improve access and integrated care for this group. This article reports mixed methods findings from the 2017 iteration of the Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project, a social media–based, psychoeducational program that promotes mental health, progressive definitions of manhood, and sustainable social support for Black men. Young Black men ( n = 350) across two universities in the Midwest completed baseline surveys on their mental health, definitions of manhood, and social support. Forty of the men participated in the YBMen intervention and at postintervention reported experiencing fewer depressive symptoms on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, Z = −2.05, p < .01) and the Gotland Male Depression Scale (GMDS; Z = −1.76, p < .05). There were also changes on the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI) for Self-Reliance ( Z = −0.34, p = .26) and Heterosexual Self-Presentation ( Z = −0.18, p = .59), though these changes were not statistically significant. A qualitative review of postintervention interviews revealed participants’ appreciation of the YBMen project and its influence on their mental health, manhood, and social support. Programmatic efforts that support the behavioral health, positive development, and social relationships of Black men translate into positive families, communities, and experiences as they live, learn, love, and work over the life course.

scholarly journals Factors Relating to College Football Players’ Conformity to Traditional Masculine Norms

2021 ◽  
pp. 106082652110045
Author(s):  
J. Andy Walsh ◽  
Lindsey C. Blom ◽  
Jocelyn Bolin ◽  
Sharon Bowman
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Athletic Identity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
College Football ◽  
Emotional Control ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Positive Relationships ◽  
Conformity To Masculine Norms ◽  
Masculine Norms

Conforming to masculine norms can lead to depression and anxiety in men. Athletic identity may affect conformity to masculine norms, specifically in college football players. This study explored the relationships among conformity to masculine norms, athletic identity, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being in 110 male college football players. The main findings convey as football players’ conformity to masculine norms increase, their athletic identity increases while their personal growth, life satisfaction and positive relationships decrease. This was specifically true for the areas of conformity to norms related to sexual relationships, winning, and emotional control/expression; as conformity scores to these norms increased, experiences with positive relationships and personal growth decreased. Furthermore, athletes who played football longer and older were less likely to conform to the norms around emotional control, than athletes with less football experience or younger in age. No group differences were found.

Cultural and service factors related to mental health beliefs among post-9/11 veterans

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Krill Williston ◽  
Lizabeth Roemer ◽  
Dawne S Vogt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Emotional Control ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Negative Beliefs ◽  
Mental Health Beliefs ◽  
Anticipated Stigma

Background and aims: The primary purpose of this study was to examine cultural and demographic predictors of dimensions of anticipated stigma and negative mental health beliefs, known barriers to mental health care utilization, among post-9/11 veterans. Methods: A cross-sectional survey methodology was used to assess 132 post-9/11 veterans. Bivariate correlations were used to examine associations between military cultural values (self-reliance and emotional control), demographic variables (gender and service characteristics) and dimensions of anticipated stigma and negative beliefs about mental health. Descriptive statistics were used to examine item-level agreement on scales of stigma, mental health beliefs and cultural values to more fully describe these beliefs in this population. Results: Descriptive findings revealed that the most highly endorsed dimension of stigma was anticipated stigma from coworkers. Correlational findings indicated that only exaggerated self-reliance, not emotional control, was positively associated with higher negative beliefs about treatment and treatment-seeking, and not other dimensions of negative beliefs about mental health. Active duty service members and those who deployed reported higher negative beliefs about treatment-seeking, emotional control and self-reliance. In addition, men reported higher negative beliefs about treatments, treatment-seeking and self-reliance than women. Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of addressing concerns about self-reliance and mental health treatment in stigma-reduction interventions especially among male, deployed, and active duty service members to reduce stigma and stigma-related barriers to care.

scholarly journals Resilience Against Depression Disparities (RADD): a protocol for a randomised comparative effectiveness trial for depression among predominantly low-income, racial/ethnic, sexual and gender minorities

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e031099
Author(s):  
Sylvanna Maria Vargas ◽  
Ashley Wennerstrom ◽  
Nancy Alfaro ◽  
Thomas Belin ◽  
Krystal Griffith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Quality ◽  
Health Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Wellness ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Racial Ethnic

IntroductionDepression is the leading cause of adult disability and common among sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults. The current study builds on findings showing the effectiveness of depression quality improvement (QI) and delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skills provided by community health workers in reducing depression. Depression QI approaches across healthcare and social/community services in safety-net settings have shown improvements in mental wellness, mental health quality of life and depression over 12 months. Further, a randomised study showed improved depression among low-income racial/ethnic minorities enrolled in a CBT-informed resiliency class (Building Resilience and Increasing Community Hope (B-RICH)). The current protocol describes a comparativeness effectiveness study to evaluate whether predominantly low-income, SGM racial/ethnic minority adults randomised to a CBT-informed resiliency class have improvements in depressive symptoms over and above community-engaged QI resources and training only.Methods and analysisThe study approached three clusters of four to five programs serving predominantly SGM and racial/ethnic minority communities in the USA: two clusters in Los Angeles, California, and one in New Orleans, Louisiana. Clusters are comprised of one primary care, one mental health and two to three community agencies (eg, faith-based, social services/support, advocacy). All programs received depression QI training. The current study employed a community-partnered participatory research model to adapt the CBT-informed resiliency class, B-RICH+, to SGM communities. Study participants were screened and recruited in person from participating programs, and will complete baseline, 6- and 12-month survey follow-ups. Participants were depressed adults (8-item Patient Health Questionnaire ≥10; ≥18 years of age) who provided contact information. Enrolled participants were individually randomised to B-RICH+ or depression QI alone. Primary outcomes are depressive symptoms; secondary outcomes are mental health quality of life, mental wellness and physical health quality of life. Data collection for this study is ongoing.Ethics and disseminationThe current study was approved by the UCLA Institutional Review Board. Study findings will be disseminated through scientific publications and community conferences.Trial registration numberhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02986126

scholarly journals Gender Norms, Discrimination, Acculturation, and Depressive Symptoms among Latino Men in a New Settlement State

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 519-524
Author(s):  
Jennifer Toller Erausquin ◽  
Eunyoung Song ◽  
Scott D. Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Gender Norms ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Latino Men ◽  
Conformity To Masculine Norms ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Masculine Norms ◽  
Clinically Significant

Purpose: Drawing from major theoretical and conceptual frameworks on minor­ity men’s mental health, we designed the current observational study to assess the as­sociations of gender norms, discrimination, and acculturation with clinically significant depressive symptoms (CESD≥16) among a sample of immigrant Latino men in North Carolina.Methods: We used data from a baseline survey of men (n=111) recruited for a peer-led health intervention. To assess the associations with depressive symptoms, we performed descriptive and bivariate analy­ses, followed by multiple logistic regression.Results: Men in the sample tended to be young (mean age 18.5 years), recent immigrants (70.3% immigrated after age 16), and to have incomplete high school education (76.5%). About half (51.4%) reported experiencing discrimination due to their ethnicity and more than a third (37.8%) reported experiencing discrimina­tion due to their race. Using the short form Conformity to Masculine Norms instrument, their mean masculinity score was 52.0; their average 12-item Short Acculturation Scale for Latinos score was 21.8. More than one-quarter of participants (26.1%) had clinically significant depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regression models showed among this sample of immigrant Latino men in the Southeast, traditional masculine norms—but not perceived discrimination nor accul­turation—were associated with clinically significant depressive symptoms.Conclusions: Our results suggest a potential future avenue for intervention research: testing whether changing gender norms could result in improvements to mental health.Ethn Dis. 2020;30(4):519-524;doi:10.18865/ed.30.4.519

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