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Men's Views on Depression: A Systematic Review and Metasynthesis of Qualitative Research
Abstract
BACKGROUND: According to the concept of "male depression," depression among men might be underdiagnosed and undertreated because of gender differences in symptoms and coping. There is evidence that men experience atypical depressive symptoms including irritability, aggression, substance abuse, and increased risk behavior. To date, a substantial number of qualitative studies on men's views on depression has been conducted in the last few decades. METHODS: Based on a systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative studies on men's subjective perspectives on depression, we aim at a comprehensive understanding of men's subjective views on depression with a specific focus on masculinity constructions. RESULTS: Based on 34 studies assessed as appropriate for the study, 2 overarching subthemes could be identified: normative expectations regarding masculinity ideals and men's subjective perspectives of depression as "weakness." Men's strategies include denial of "weakness" and "closing up." Further themes include suicide, masculinity ideals as a healthy resource, and alternative masculinities. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Traditional masculinity values might serve as barriers but also as facilitators to adaptive coping strategies in depressed men. More research is needed to study the dimensions and role of alternative masculinities in the context of depression.
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“Furthermore, there is some evidence that men do not necessarily subscribe to traditional ideals but demonstrate alternative forms of masculinity (4).”
From Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Men With Depression: A Qualitative Study (2020) · cites this paper as [4]
In the citing paper
“Results of a systematic review of qualitative studies on men's views of depression confirmed the impact of norms concerning masculine roles on men's attitudes toward depression and help-seeking (4).”
From Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Men With Depression: A Qualitative Study (2020) · cites this paper as [4]
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Otten, D., Tibubos, A. N., Schomerus, G., Brähler, E., Binder, H., Kruse, J., Ladwig, K., Wild, P. S., Grabe, H. J., & Beutel, M. E. (2021) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.553071 · Cited by 253
Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Men With Depression: A Qualitative Study
Staiger, T., Stiawa, M., Mueller-Stierlin, A. S., Kilian, R., Beschoner, P., Gündel, H., Becker, T., Frasch, K., Panzirsch, M., Schmauß, M., et al. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.599039 · Cited by 146
“Furthermore, there is some evidence that men do not necessarily subscribe to traditional ideals but demonstrate alternative forms of masculinity (4).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialMokhwelepa, L. W., & Sumbane, G. O. (2025) · American Journal of Men's Health · doi:10.1177/15579883251321670 · Cited by 103
“The impact of rigid masculine norms on male roles in relation to men’s attitudes toward depression and help-seeking was corroborated by the results of a systematic analysis of qualitative studies on men’s perspectives of depression (Krumm et al., 2017).”
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Metadata
- Authors
- Krumm, S., Checchia, C., Koesters, M., Kilian, R., & Becker, T.
- Affiliations
- Universität Ulm (DE)
- Venue
- Psychopathology
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2017
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 107-124
- ISSN
- 0254-4962 (ISSN-L)
- 1423-033X
- OpenAlex
- W2592826866
- Cited by
- 104
- References
- 60
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 16.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychopathology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Roles and Identity Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Feminist Studies
- Keywords
- male depression, masculinity, atypical depressive symptoms, gender differences in depression, alternative masculinities, suicide, coping strategies, underdiagnosis of depression
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aggression, Depression, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Middle Aged, Sexual Partners, Qualitative Research, Men's Health, Masculinity
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