Men's Suicidal thoughts and behaviors and conformity to masculine norms: A person-centered, latent profile approach

Bibliographic Details
Title: Men's Suicidal thoughts and behaviors and conformity to masculine norms: A person-centered, latent profile approach
Authors: Lukas Eggenberger, Lena Spangenberg, Matthew C. Genuchi, Andreas Walther
Source: Heliyon, Vol 10, Iss 20, Pp e39094- (2024)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Science (General)
LCC:Social sciences (General)
Subject Terms: Men, Masculinities, Traditional masculinity ideologies, Depression, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts and behaviors, Science (General), Q1-390, Social sciences (General), H1-99
More Details: Background: Men are up to four times more likely to die by suicide than women. At the same time, men are less likely to disclose suicidal ideation and transition more rapidly from ideation to attempt. Recently, socialized gender norms and particularly conformity to masculine norms (CMN) have been discussed as driving factors for men's increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). This study aims to examine the individual interplay between CMN dimensions and their association with depression symptoms, help-seeking, and STBs. Methods: Using data from an anonymous online survey of 488 cisgender men, latent profile analysis was performed to identify CMN subgroups. Multigroup comparisons and hierarchical regression analyses were used to estimate differences in sociodemographic characteristics, depression symptoms, psychotherapy use, and STBs. Results: Three latent CMN subgroups were identified: Egalitarians (58.6 %; characterized by overall low CMN), Players (16.0 %; characterized by patriarchal beliefs, endorsement of sexual promiscuity, and heterosexual self-presentation), and Stoics (25.4 %; characterized by restrictive emotionality, self-reliance, and engagement in risky behavior). Stoics showed a 2.32 times higher risk for a lifetime suicide attempt, younger age, stronger somatization of depression symptoms, and stronger unbearability beliefs. Conclusion: The interplay between the CMN dimensions restrictive emotionality, self-reliance, and willingness to engage in risky behavior, paired with suicidal beliefs about the unbearability of emotional pain, may create a suicidogenic psychosocial system. Acknowledging this high-risk subgroup of men conforming to restrictive masculine norms may aid the development of tailored intervention programs, ultimately mitigating the risk for a suicide attempt.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2405-8440
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024151250; https://doaj.org/toc/2405-8440
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39094
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/02ddc638c0c648da897b1d7a0c81dd28
Accession Number: edsdoj.02ddc638c0c648da897b1d7a0c81dd28
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:24058440
DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39094
Published in:Heliyon
Language:English