scholarly journals Examining the role of traditional masculinity and depression in men’s risk for contracting COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Walther ◽  
Lukas Eggenberger ◽  
Jessica Grub ◽  
John S. Ogrodniczuk ◽  
Zac E. Seidler ◽  
...  

Background: In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic and claims that traditional masculinity may put some men at increased risk for infection, research reporting men’s health behaviors is critically important. Traditional masculine norms such as self-reliance and toughness are associated with a lower likelihood to vaccinate or follow safety restrictions. Furthermore, infection risk and traditional masculinity should be investigated in a differentiated manner including gender role orientation, underlying traditional masculine ideologies and male gender role conflict. Methods: In this pre-registered online survey conducted during March/April 2021 in German-speaking countries in Europe, 490 men completed questionnaires regarding contracting COVID-19 as confirmed by a validated test, fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S), and experience of psychological burden due to COVID-19. In addition, depression symptomatology was assessed by using prototypical internalizing and male-typical externalizing depression symptoms. Furthermore, self-identified masculine gender orientation, endorsement of traditional masculine ideologies, and gender role conflict were measured. Results: A total of 6.9% of men (n = 34) reported having contracted COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Group comparisons revealed that men who had contracted COVID-19 exhibited higher overall traditional masculine ideology and gender role conflict. Logistic regression controlling for confounders (age, income, education, and sexual orientation) indicated that only depression symptoms are independently associated with the risk of having contracted COVID-19. While prototypical depression symptoms were negatively associated with the risk of having contracted COVID-19, male-typical externalizing depression symptoms were positively associated with the risk of having contracted COVID-19. Conclusion: For traditional masculinity, no robust association for an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 could be established, while higher male-typical externalizingdepression symptoms were associated with an increased risk of having contracted COVID-19.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Walther ◽  
Jessica Grub ◽  
Sarah Tsar ◽  
Ulrike Ehlert ◽  
Adrian Heald ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is causing extensive job loss leading to a loss of social status in many men. Endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology may render some men particularly sensitive to status loss and thereby to an increased risk for suicidality.Methods: In this anonymous online survey conducted in German-speaking European countries, 490 men completed questionnaires regarding loss of social status due to the pandemic, suicidal ideation and past-month suicide attempt. Furthermore, prototypical and male-typical externalizing depression symptoms, self-identified masculine gender orientation, endorsement of traditional masculinity, and gender role conflict were measured.Results: Out of a total of 490 men, 14.7% of men reported experiencing a status loss due to the pandemic. These men were more than twice as likely to report suicidal ideation during the past two weeks, and more than four times as likely to have attempted suicide in the past month than men not reporting a status loss. Depression symptoms, self-identified masculine gender orientation, endorsement of traditional masculinity, but not gender role conflict were positively associated with status loss. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempt were associated with prototypical and male-typical externalizing depression symptoms, but not masculinity- related constructs.Conclusion: Status loss emerges as risk factor for suicide and is associated with depression symptoms, higher masculine gender orientation and endorsement of traditional masculinity. Men with high levels of traditional masculinity and status loss due to the pandemic are at increased risk for suicide.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Eggenberger ◽  
Nikola Komlenac ◽  
Ulrike Ehlert ◽  
Jessica Grub ◽  
Andreas Walther

Background: Heterosexual-identified men, as compared to non-heterosexual-identifiedmen, are less likely to seek out psychotherapy when experiencing psychological distress. Stronger endorsement of traditional masculinity ideologies (TMI) has been reported to be associated with reduced psychotherapy use among men. However, the relationship between psychotherapy use, TMI, and sexual identity needs to be explored.Methods: A total of 728 psychologically distressed men (59.9% heterosexual-identified, 40.1% non-heterosexual-identified) from German-speaking parts of Europe completed an online questionnaire asking about current psychotherapy use, endorsement of TMI, experienced gender role conflict, depression symptoms, and externalizing depression symptoms.Results: In total 34.5% (N = 251) of the men were currently using psychotherapy, of which 47.4% (N = 119) identified as heterosexual and 52.6% (N = 132) as non-heterosexual. Heterosexual-identified men used psychotherapy significantly less than gay- and bisexual- identified men, while showing comparable psychological distress. Additionally, heterosexual-identified men exhibited higher endorsement of TMI across all domains and experienced more masculine gender role conflict, especially in the domains Success, Power, Competition and Restrictive Affectionate Behavior Between Men. In heterosexual- but not non-heterosexual-identified men, stronger endorsement of TMI was associated with reduced psychotherapy use.Conclusion: Higher endorsement of TMI is linked to reduced psychotherapy use among psychologically distressed heterosexual-identified men. Thus, challenging TMI and advocating for alternative masculinities that include health promoting behavior can especially help heterosexual-identified men.


2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Trevathan ◽  
Ryon McDermott ◽  
Brian Schulz ◽  
Stephanie Ace ◽  
Krisztina Petho-Robertson ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aylin Kaya ◽  
Derek K. Iwamoto ◽  
Jennifer Brady ◽  
Lauren Clinton ◽  
Margaux Grivel

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslee R. Kassing ◽  
Denise Beesley ◽  
Lisa L. Frey

The relationship of homophobia and gender role conflict to male rape myth acceptance was investigated using a sample of 210 adult men from a Midwestern community. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the ability of certain variables to predict adherence to male rape myths. Those variables were homophobia; success, power, and competition attitudes; restrictive affectionate behavior between men; restrictive emotionality; and conflicts between work and family relationships. Results indicated that greater adherence to rape myths was related to homophobia and more success, power, and competitive attitudes. Additionally, older participants and participants with lower levels of education were more likely to endorse greater adherence to rape myths. Implications of this research include the necessity for more research on male rape myth acceptance, for implementation of educational programs and changes in the socialization process to help dispel these myths, and for mental health counselors to provide unbiased and gender-responsive treatment modalities to male victims who seek help.


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