Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Men With Depression: A Qualitative Study

Summary & key facts

This study interviewed 12 men in Germany who had used mental health services for depression. Before they got help, many men said traditional ideas of masculinity (being strong, self-reliant, in control) made them avoid seeking help. After treatment some men changed how they saw depression, reflected critically on masculine norms, and valued men-only peer groups. The authors note four areas that mattered for help-seeking: personal attitudes, society's view of depression, family context, and experiences with services, and they suggest stigma-reduction, men-only peer work, and GP training as possible service improvements.

Key facts:

• The study used narrative-biographical interviews with 12 men diagnosed with or identifying as having depression who had already used mental health services.
• Before seeking treatment, participants said internalized masculine norms (for example, being strong, self-reliant, and avoiding emotions) made them less likely to ask for help.
• After using mental health services, many participants reported a change in attitude: they described a more health-focused (salutogenic) view and more critical reflection on traditional masculine norms.
• Participants described men-only, peer-led groups as having a positive function; these groups were reported to boost self-esteem and help men disclose weaknesses.
• The authors summarize experiences on four levels: (1) attitudes toward depression, (2) perception of societal views on depression, (3) family context experiences, and (4) experiences with mental health services.
• The study drew on an initial sample of 250 men for a latent class analysis that identified three masculinity/job-attitude types; from those classes the authors interviewed 12 men (four from each class) for the qualitative analysis.
• The paper recommends developing interventions to reduce stigma about being “unmanly,” improving support for men unable to work, offering peer-led men-only groups, and training general practitioners about how masculine norms affect mental he
• Because this is a small qualitative study (12 participants) of men who already used services in Southern Germany, the authors note the findings describe these participants’ experiences and do not prove how all men with depression behave or

Abstract

Background: Many studies indicate that men are more reluctant to seek help for mental health problems than women. Traditional ideas of masculinity are often ...

Conditions & symptoms

Depression Feeling disconnected from others Lack of energy or motivation Sadness or low mood