scholarly journals Status loss due to COVID-19, traditional masculinity, and the prediction of suicidal ideation and recent suicide attempts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Walther ◽  
Jessica Grub ◽  
Sarah Tsar ◽  
Ulrike Ehlert ◽  
Adrian Heald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Role Conflict ◽  
Gender Role Conflict ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Gender Orientation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Traditional Masculinity ◽  
Masculine Gender

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.

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Role ◽  
Role Conflict ◽  
Gender Role Conflict ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Research Reporting ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Traditional Masculinity

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.

scholarly journals Explaining risk for suicidal ideation in adolescent offspring of mothers with depression

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Hammerton ◽  
S. Zammit ◽  
A. Thapar ◽  
S. Collishaw
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Parent Child Relationship ◽  
Child Relationship ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Depressed Mothers ◽  
Maternal Suicide ◽  
Parent Child

BackgroundIt is well-established that offspring of depressed mothers are at increased risk for suicidal ideation. However, pathways involved in the transmission of risk for suicidal ideation from depressed mothers to offspring are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of potential mediators of this association, including maternal suicide attempt, offspring psychiatric disorder and the parent–child relationship.MethodData were utilized from a population-based birth cohort (ALSPAC). Three distinct classes of maternal depression symptoms across the first 11 years of the child's life had already been identified (minimal, moderate, chronic-severe). Offspring suicidal ideation was assessed at age 16 years. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling.ResultsThere was evidence for increased risk of suicidal ideation in offspring of mothers with chronic-severe depression symptoms compared to offspring of mothers with minimal symptoms (odds ratio 3.04, 95% confidence interval 2.19–4.21). The majority of this association was explained through maternal suicide attempt and offspring psychiatric disorder. There was also evidence for an independent indirect effect via the parent–child relationship in middle childhood. There was no longer evidence of a direct effect of maternal depression on offspring suicidal ideation after accounting for all three mediators. The pattern of results was similar when examining mechanisms for maternal moderate depression symptoms.ConclusionsFindings highlight that suicide prevention efforts in offspring of depressed mothers should be particularly targeted at both offspring with a psychiatric disorder and offspring whose mothers have made a suicide attempt. Interventions aimed at improving the parent–child relationship may also be beneficial.

scholarly journals Endorsement of Traditional Masculinity Ideologies is Associated With Differences in Psychotherapy Use Among Heterosexual-Identified but not Non-Heterosexual-Identified Men

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Eggenberger ◽  
Nikola Komlenac ◽  
Ulrike Ehlert ◽  
Jessica Grub ◽  
Andreas Walther
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Gender Role ◽  
Role Conflict ◽  
Gender Role Conflict ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Alternative Masculinities ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Traditional Masculinity

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.

scholarly journals Associations of adverse childhood experiences and social support with self-injurious behaviour and suicidality in adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 214 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhui Wan ◽  
Ruoling Chen ◽  
Shuangshuang Ma ◽  
Danielle McFeeters ◽  
Ying Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Individual

BackgroundThere is little investigation on the interaction effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social support on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in community adolescent populations, or gender differences in these effects.AimsTo examine the individual and interaction effects of ACEs and social support on NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in adolescents, and explore gender differences.MethodA school-based health survey was conducted in three provinces in China between 2013–2014. A total of 14 820 students aged 10–20 years completed standard questionnaires, to record details of ACEs, social support, NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.ResultsOf included participants, 89.4% reported one or more category of ACEs. The 12-month prevalence of NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt was 26.1%, 17.5% and 4.4%, respectively; all were significantly associated with increased ACEs and lower social support. The multiple adjusted odds ratio of NSSI in low versus high social support was 2.27 (95% CI 1.85–2.67) for girls and 1.81 (95% CI 1.53–2.14) for boys, and their ratio (Ratio of two odds ratios, ROR) was 1.25 (P = 0.037). Girls with high ACEs scores (5–6) and moderate or low social support also had a higher risk of suicide attempt than boys (RORs: 2.34, 1.84 and 2.02, respectively; all P < 0.05).ConclusionsACEs and low social support are associated with increased risk of NSSI and suicidality in Chinese adolescents. Strategies to improve social support, particularly among female adolescents with a high number of ACEs, should be an integral component of targeted mental health interventions.Declaration of interestNone.

scholarly journals Mental disorders and risk of suicide attempt in prisoners

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Favril
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mere Presence

Background: Mental disorders are overrepresented in prisoners, placing them at an increased risk of suicide. Advancing our understanding of how different mental disorders relate to distinct stages of the suicidal process—the transition from ideation to action—would provide valuable information for clinical risk assessment in this high-risk population. Methods: Data were drawn from a representative sample of 1212 adults (1093 men) incarcerated across 13 New Zealand prisons, accounting for 14% of the national prison population. Guided by an ideation-to-action framework, three mutually exclusive groups of participants were compared on the presence of mental disorders assessed by validated DSM-IV diagnostic criteria: prisoners without any suicidal history (controls; n = 778), prisoners who thought about suicide but never made a suicide attempt (ideators; n = 187), and prisoners who experienced suicidal ideation and acted on such thoughts (attempters; n = 247). Results: One-third (34.6%) of participants reported a lifetime history of suicidal ideation, of whom 55.6% attempted suicide (19.2% of all prisoners). Suicidal outcomes in the absence of mental disorders were rare. Whilst each disorder increased the odds of suicidal ideation (OR range 1.73–4.13) and suicide attempt (OR range 1.82–4.05) in the total sample (n = 1212), only a select subset of disorders was associated with suicide attempt among those with suicidal ideation (n = 434). Drug dependence (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.10-2.48), alcohol dependence (OR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.26-2.85), and posttraumatic stress disorder (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.37-3.17) distinguished attempters from ideators. Conclusion: Consistent with many epidemiological studies in the general population, our data suggest that most mental disorders are best conceptualized as risk factors for suicidal ideation rather than for suicide attempt. Once prisoners consider suicide, other biopsychosocial factors beyond the mere presence of mental disorders may account for the progression from thoughts to acts of suicide.

Increased risk of attempted suicide in Australian veterans is associated with total and permanent incapacitation, unemployment and posttraumatic stress disorder severity

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 552-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn Kerr ◽  
Madeline Romaniuk ◽  
Sarah McLeay ◽  
Andrew Khoo ◽  
Michael T Dent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Background: Military veterans have higher rates of suicidality and completed suicides compared to the general population. Previous research has demonstrated suicidal behaviour is higher in US combat veterans who are younger, suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety and score lower on measures of health. However, research on predictors of suicide for Australian veterans is limited. The aim of this study was to identify significant demographic and psychological differences between veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attempted suicide and those with posttraumatic stress disorder who had not, as well as determine predictors of suicide attempts within an Australian cohort. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 229 ex-service personnel diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attended a Military Service Trauma Recovery Day Program as outpatients at Toowong Private Hospital from 2007 to 2014. Patients completed a battery of mental health self-report questionnaires assessing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol use, anger, depression, anxiety and quality of life. Demographic information and self-reported history of suicide attempts were also recorded. Results: Results indicated the average age was significantly lower, and the rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, anger, anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly higher in those veterans with history of a suicide attempt. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity, unemployment or total and permanent incapacity pension status significantly predicted suicide attempt history. Conclusion: Among a cohort of Australian veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, psychopathology severity, unemployment and total and permanent incapacity status are significantly associated with suicidality. This study highlights the importance of early identification of posttraumatic stress disorder and psychopathology, therapeutic and social engagement, and prioritisation of tangible employment options or meaningful and goal-directed activities for veterans deemed unable to work.

scholarly journals A secondary analysis of internet-delivered cognitive-behaviour treatment for adults with severe depressive symptoms (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Richards ◽  
Daniel Duffy ◽  
John Burke ◽  
Melissa Anderson-Gibbons ◽  
Sarah Connell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Beck Depression Inventory ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Mental Health Issue ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour

BACKGROUND Depression is a highly prevalent mental health issue that exacts significant economic, societal, personal and interpersonal costs. Innovative internet-delivered interventions have been designed to increase accessibility to and cost-effectiveness of treatments. These treatments have mainly targeted mild to moderate levels of depression. The increased risk associated with severe depression, particularly of suicidal ideation often results in this population being excluded from research studies. As a result, effectiveness of iCBT in more severely depressed cohorts is less researched. OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of iCBT on symptoms of severe depression, comorbid symptoms of anxiety and levels of work and social functioning. METHODS Retrospective consent was provided by participants with elevated scores (>28 severe depression symptoms) on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) who accessed an iCBT intervention (Space from Depression) with support for 8 weeks. Data was collected at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up on the primary outcome the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and secondary outcomes; the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). RESULTS Significant change was observed on all measures between pre- and post- measurement, and maintained at 3-month follow-up. Clinical improvement was observed for participants on the BDI-II from pre- to post- measurement and suicidal ideation also reduced from pre- to post- measurement. CONCLUSIONS Space from Depression was found to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety and increase work and social functioning for individuals with severe depression symptoms. The intervention also demonstrated its potential to decrease suicidal ideation. Further investigation is required to determine why some individuals improve, and others do not. ICBT may have the potential to be used as an adjunct treatment for severe depression symptoms, but participants may require further treatment if they receive iCBT as a standalone. Although promising, further research is needed to support the utility of Space from Depression for use in or as an adjunct to treatment for severe depression.

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