Expressions of masculinity and associations with suicidal ideation among young males.
Masculinity
Suicidal ideation
Young males
Journal
BMC psychiatry
ISSN: 1471-244X
Titre abrégé: BMC Psychiatry
Pays: England
ID NLM: 100968559
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
12 05 2020
12 05 2020
Historique:
received:
10
04
2019
accepted:
31
01
2020
entrez:
14
5
2020
pubmed:
14
5
2020
medline:
22
12
2020
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Adolescent boys and young men are at particular risk of suicide. Suicidal ideation is an important risk factor for suicide, but is poorly understood among adolescent males. Some masculine behaviors have been associated with deleterious effects on health, yet there has been little quantitative examination of associations between masculinity and suicide or suicidal ideation, particularly among boys/young men. This study aimed to examine associations between conformity to masculine norms and suicidal ideation in a sample of adolescents. A prospective cohort design, this study drew on a sample of 829 Australian boys/young men from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health. Boys were 15-18 years at baseline, and 17-20 years at follow-up. Masculine norms (Wave 1), were measured using the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI-22). Suicidal ideation (Wave 2) was a single-item from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for available confounders including parental education, Indigenous Australian identity and area disadvantage. In adjusted models, greater conformity to violent norms (OR = 1.23, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.03-1.47) and self-reliance norms (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15-1.70) was associated with higher odds of reporting suicidal ideation. Greater conformity to norms regarding heterosexuality was associated with reduced odds of reporting suicidal ideation (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-0.91). These results suggest that conforming to some masculine norms may be deleterious to the mental health of young males, placing them at greater risk of suicidal ideation. The results highlight the importance of presenting young males with alternative and multiple ways of being a male. Facilitating a relaxation of norms regarding self-reliance, and encouraging help-seeking, is vital. Furthermore, dismantling norms that rigidly enforce masculine norms, particularly in relation to heteronormativity, is likely to benefit the broad population of males, not only those who do not conform to heterosexual and other masculine norms.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Adolescent boys and young men are at particular risk of suicide. Suicidal ideation is an important risk factor for suicide, but is poorly understood among adolescent males. Some masculine behaviors have been associated with deleterious effects on health, yet there has been little quantitative examination of associations between masculinity and suicide or suicidal ideation, particularly among boys/young men. This study aimed to examine associations between conformity to masculine norms and suicidal ideation in a sample of adolescents.
METHODS
A prospective cohort design, this study drew on a sample of 829 Australian boys/young men from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health. Boys were 15-18 years at baseline, and 17-20 years at follow-up. Masculine norms (Wave 1), were measured using the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI-22). Suicidal ideation (Wave 2) was a single-item from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for available confounders including parental education, Indigenous Australian identity and area disadvantage.
RESULTS
In adjusted models, greater conformity to violent norms (OR = 1.23, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.03-1.47) and self-reliance norms (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15-1.70) was associated with higher odds of reporting suicidal ideation. Greater conformity to norms regarding heterosexuality was associated with reduced odds of reporting suicidal ideation (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-0.91).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that conforming to some masculine norms may be deleterious to the mental health of young males, placing them at greater risk of suicidal ideation. The results highlight the importance of presenting young males with alternative and multiple ways of being a male. Facilitating a relaxation of norms regarding self-reliance, and encouraging help-seeking, is vital. Furthermore, dismantling norms that rigidly enforce masculine norms, particularly in relation to heteronormativity, is likely to benefit the broad population of males, not only those who do not conform to heterosexual and other masculine norms.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32398056
doi: 10.1186/s12888-020-2475-y
pii: 10.1186/s12888-020-2475-y
pmc: PMC7218581
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
228Subventions
Organisme : Australian Research Council Linkage Project
ID : LP 180100035
Pays : International
Organisme : National Health and Medical Research Council
ID : APP1134499
Pays : International
Organisme : University of Melbourne Early Career Researcher Grant
ID : 1858815
Pays : International
Organisme : University of Melbourne Early Career Researcher Grant
ID : 603783
Pays : International
Références
Am J Mens Health. 2018 Jul;12(4):696-705
pubmed: 29338558
Am J Mens Health. 2018 Mar;12(2):229-240
pubmed: 29219033
Lancet. 2015 Apr 18;385(9977):1580-9
pubmed: 25467578
J Adolesc Health. 2019 Jul;65(1):72-78
pubmed: 30833116
Lancet. 2007 Apr 14;369(9569):1302-1313
pubmed: 17434406
Lancet. 2011 Jun 18;377(9783):2093-102
pubmed: 21652063
Am J Epidemiol. 2012 Jun 15;175(12):1303-10
pubmed: 22569106
J Adolesc Health. 2018 Mar;62(3S):S9-S17
pubmed: 29455724
BMC Public Health. 2016 Oct 31;16(Suppl 3):1030
pubmed: 28185550
Am J Mens Health. 2011 Mar;5(2):118-28
pubmed: 20483873
Am J Public Health. 2012 May;102 Suppl 2:S187-94
pubmed: 22401519
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Mar 31;14(4):
pubmed: 28362354
Soc Sci Med. 2000 May;50(10):1385-401
pubmed: 10741575
Am J Mens Health. 2018 Jan;12(1):138-149
pubmed: 27365212
J Adolesc Health. 2018 Mar;62(3S):S3-S5
pubmed: 29455715
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2017 Mar;52(3):319-327
pubmed: 28025691
Crisis. 2020 Jan;41(1):54-63
pubmed: 31310165
Psychol Men Masc. 2014 Oct;15(4):397-406
pubmed: 25530724
Soc Sci Med. 2012 Feb;74(4):498-505
pubmed: 21930333
PLoS One. 2016 Jun 24;11(6):e0157805
pubmed: 27341206
Lancet. 2016 Mar 19;387(10024):1227-39
pubmed: 26385066
Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2010;6:339-63
pubmed: 20192787
Ment Illn. 2012 Aug 23;4(2):e15
pubmed: 25478116
Am J Psychiatry. 2001 Oct;158(10):1701-5
pubmed: 11579005
Cult Health Sex. 2015;17 Suppl 2:S112-27
pubmed: 26680535
Lancet. 2012 Jun 23;379(9834):2373-82
pubmed: 22726518
Arch Suicide Res. 2015;19(3):366-84
pubmed: 25383764
Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2016;12:307-30
pubmed: 26772209
Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2011 Jul;45(7):532-8
pubmed: 21452929
Arch Suicide Res. 2018 Apr-Jun;22(2):327-343
pubmed: 28636432
PLoS One. 2015 Oct 23;10(10):e0141606
pubmed: 26496707
Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2003 Dec;12(6):303-7
pubmed: 14689263
Soc Sci Med. 2012 Feb;74(4):482-9
pubmed: 20833461
J Marriage Fam. 2013 Feb;75(1):221-234
pubmed: 26113747
Psychol Med. 2016 Jan;46(2):225-36
pubmed: 26370729
J Epidemiol Community Health. 2012 Jun;66(6):536-43
pubmed: 21131304
Suicide Life Threat Behav. 1998 Spring;28(1):1-23
pubmed: 9560163
J Couns Psychol. 2017 Jan;64(1):80-93
pubmed: 27869454
Med Sci Monit. 2011 Aug;17(8):PH65-70
pubmed: 21804473
JAMA. 1999 Oct 6;282(13):1291-2
pubmed: 10517437