BACKGROUND: According to the concept of "male depression," depression among men might be underdiagnosed and undertreated because of gender differences in symptoms and coping. There is evidence that men experience atypical depressive symptoms including irritability, aggression, substance abuse, and increased risk behavior. To date, a substantial number of qualitative studies on men's views on depression has been conducted in the last few decades. METHODS: Based on a systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative studies on men's subjective perspectives on depression, we aim at a comprehensive understanding of men's subjective views on depression with a specific focus on masculinity constructions. RESULTS: Based on 34 studies assessed as appropriate for the study, 2 overarching subthemes could be identified: normative expectations regarding masculinity ideals and men's subjective perspectives of depression as "weakness." Men's strategies include denial of "weakness" and "closing up." Further themes include suicide, masculinity ideals as a healthy resource, and alternative masculinities. DISCUSSION/ CONCLUSIONS: Traditional masculinity values might serve as barriers but also as facilitators to adaptive coping strategies in depressed men. More research is needed to study the dimensions and role of alternative masculinities in the context of depression.
BACKGROUND: According to the concept of "male depression," depression among men might be underdiagnosed and undertreated because of gender differences in symptoms and coping. There is evidence that men experience atypical depressive symptoms including irritability, aggression, substance abuse, and increased risk behavior. To date, a substantial number of qualitative studies on men's views on depression has been conducted in the last few decades. METHODS: Based on a systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative studies on men's subjective perspectives on depression, we aim at a comprehensive understanding of men's subjective views on depression with a specific focus on masculinity constructions. RESULTS: Based on 34 studies assessed as appropriate for the study, 2 overarching subthemes could be identified: normative expectations regarding masculinity ideals and men's subjective perspectives of depression as "weakness." Men's strategies include denial of "weakness" and "closing up." Further themes include suicide, masculinity ideals as a healthy resource, and alternative masculinities. DISCUSSION/ CONCLUSIONS: Traditional masculinity values might serve as barriers but also as facilitators to adaptive coping strategies in depressed men. More research is needed to study the dimensions and role of alternative masculinities in the context of depression.
Authors: Maja Stiawa; Annabel Müller-Stierlin; Tobias Staiger; Reinhold Kilian; Thomas Becker; Harald Gündel; Petra Beschoner; Achim Grinschgl; Karel Frasch; Max Schmauß; Maria Panzirsch; Lea Mayer; Elisa Sittenberger; Silvia Krumm Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2020-06-03 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Reinhold Kilian; Annabel Müller-Stierlin; Felicitas Söhner; Petra Beschoner; Harald Gündel; Tobias Staiger; Maja Stiawa; Thomas Becker; Karel Frasch; Maria Panzirsch; Max Schmauß; Silvia Krumm Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-05-26 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Tobias Staiger; Maja Stiawa; Annabel Sandra Mueller-Stierlin; Reinhold Kilian; Petra Beschoner; Harald Gündel; Thomas Becker; Karel Frasch; Maria Panzirsch; Max Schmauß; Silvia Krumm Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2020-11-24 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Daniëlle Otten; Ana N Tibubos; Georg Schomerus; Elmar Brähler; Harald Binder; Johannes Kruse; Karl-Heinz Ladwig; Philipp S Wild; Hans J Grabe; Manfred E Beutel Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-02-05