Citation

Branney P, White A. Adv. Psychiatr. Treat. 2008; 14(4): 256-262.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/apt.bp.106.003467

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Men are a numerical minority group receiving a diagnosis of and treatment for depression. However, community surveys of men and of their mental health issues (e.g. suicide and alcoholism) have led some to suggest that many more men have depression than are currently seen in healthcare services. This article explores current approaches to men and depression, which draw on theories of sex differences, gender roles and hegemonic masculinity. The sex differences approach has the potential to provide diagnostic tools for (male) depression; gender role theory could be used to redesign health services so that they target individuals who have a masculine problem-focused coping style; and hegemonic masculinity highlights how gender is enacted through depression and that men's depression may be visible in abusive, aggressive and violent practices. Depression in men is receiving growing recognition, and recent policy changes in the UK may mean that health services are obliged to incorporate services that meet the needs of men with depression.

Language: en

Keywords

masculinity; human; male; depression; sex difference; gender identity; article; disease predisposition; health care policy; behavior disorder; mental health service; coping behavior; sex role; psychiatric diagnosis; health care need; health care distribution; human characteristic; psychosocial development; role theory