Traditional Masculinity as a Risk Factor for Suicidal Ideation: Cross-Sectional and Prospective Evidence from a Study of Young Adults
Abstract
Traditional masculinity is hypothesized to be associated with suicidal ideation, and traditional masculinity is predicted to interact with stressors, intensifying suicidal ideation. Cross-sectional and prospective data from a study of 2,431 young adults was analyzed using hierarchical regression main effects and interaction models. Traditional masculinity was associated with suicidal ideation, second only in strength to depression, including when controlling for other risk factors. Prospective effects were substantially weaker. There was mixed evidence for traditional masculinity by stress interactions. The results provide preliminary support for the role of traditional masculinity in suicidal ideation, but the relationship should be tested in studies of suicide attempts and mortality. Implications for prevention and intervention are explored.
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Some quantitative studies have found positive associations between adherence to masculine norms and suicidal thoughts and behaviours in males from the general population and from particular at-risk groups.
“Some quantitative studies have found positive associations between adherence to masculine norms and suicidal thoughts and behaviours in males from the general population [14,15,2] and from particular at-risk groups [16].”
From Masculinity and suicidal thinking (2017) · cites this paper as [14]
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Masculinity and suicidal thinking
Pirkis, J., Spittal, M. J., Keogh, L., Mousaferiadis, T., & Currier, D. (2017) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-016-1324-2 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
- Authors
- Coleman, D.
- Corresponding author
- Coleman, Daniel
- ORCID
- Coleman, Daniel
- Venue
- Archives of Suicide Research
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2015-07-03
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 366-384
- ISSN
- 1381-1118 (ISSN-L)
- 1543-6136
- OpenAlex
- W1963585595
- Cited by
- 111
- References
- 63
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5
- FWCI
- 3.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of Suicide Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Roles and Identity Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
- Keywords
- traditional masculinity, suicidal ideation, young adults, depression, stress, gender norms, suicide risk factors, suicide prevention
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Gender Identity, Humans, Male, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Self Concept, Socialization, Stereotyping, Health Behavior, Young Adult, Masculinity, Suicidal Ideation
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