Masculinity norms and occupational role orientations in men treated for depression

Abstract

Purpose: A traditional male role orientation is considered to increase the risk of depression and preventing men from disclosing symptoms of mental illness and seeking professional help. Less is known about the variance of masculinity orientations in men already treated for depression and their role in the treatment process. In this study, patterns of masculinity norms and work role orientations will be identified among men treated for depression. Associations of these patterns with depressive symptoms, stigma and delay in professional help-seeking will be investigated.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, male role orientations (MRNS), work-related attitudes (AVEM), symptoms of mental disorders (PHQ), and attitudes related to stigma of mental illness (DSS) were assessed by standardized methods in a sample of 250 men treated for depression in general medical, psychiatric and psychotherapeutic services. Data were analyzed by means of latent profile analysis (LPA), by multinomial and linear regression models, and by path analysis.

Results: The results of LPA revealed three latent classes of men treated for depression. Men assigned to class one reported a less traditional male role orientation, low professional ambitions and low coping capacities; men assigned to class two reported a traditional masculinity orientation, high professional ambitions but low coping capacities; men assigned to class three reported less traditional masculinity tended orientations, medium professional ambitions and high coping capacities. Men assigned to classes one and two to have more stigmatizing attitudes, longer periods of untreated illness and more severe symptoms of mental disorders, in comparison to men assigned to class three.

Conclusions: Overall, this study reveals that traditional masculinity norms and work-role orientations in men treated for depression are associated with a worse mental health status. Our study results also suggest that a slackening of traditional masculinity norms is associated with improved psychological well-being if it does not coincide with a complete distancing from professional ambitions and a lack of ability to cope with professional stress.

Fig 1. Latent class profile for masculinity norms and work role orientations.

Means and 95% confidence intervals.

Fig 2. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-SADS) subscales by latent class assignment.

Means and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for age, partner, children, higher education, unemployment, bluecollar worker, income, duration of illness, duration of untreated illness, recruitment setting.

Fig 3. Standardized path coefficients and robust standard errors of the effects of assignment to latent Class1 or latent Class 2 vs. latent Class 3 (reference category) on stigmatizing attitudes (stigma = DSS total sum score), the duration of untreated illness (DUI), and symptoms of mental disorder (PHQ = PHQ-SADS total sum score).