Health-related masculine values, depression and suicide risk in men: associations among men with a history of childhood maltreatment

Abstract

Background

Identification of masculine values associated with men’s depression and suicide risk may generate new intervention targets for those with known static risk factors (e.g., exposure to childhood maltreatment).

Aims

To validate the factor structure of a measure of health-related masculine values and examine correlates relative to childhood maltreatment exposure.

Method

Self-report data was collected from 530 Canadian men, mean age 47.91 years (SD  =  14.51).

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis validated an abbreviated eight-item, two-factor model of the Intensions Masculine Values Scale (IMVS-8; CFI = .984, TLI = .977, RMSEA = .054, SRMR = .032). Cluster groups of low (n = 57), moderate (n = 206) and high (n = 267) adherence to these health-related masculine values were identified, equivalent on exposure to childhood maltreatment and previous mental health treatment. A multivariate group × maltreatment interaction was observed (p = .017) whereby males in the low cluster with a maltreatment history endorsed higher mood-related symptomology. This same pattern was observed in a univariate group × maltreatment interaction for suicide risk (p = .006).

Conclusions

Health-related masculine values were associated with lower depression and suicide risk in men who have a history of childhood maltreatment. Future intervention studies should investigate whether development of health-related masculine values can reduce depression and suicide risk among men with a history of childhood maltreatment.

Keywords:

• Men
• masculinity
• health
• depression
• suicide
• masculine values

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Movember Canada [Grant number 11R18455]. SR was supported by the Mary Elizabeth Watson Early Career Fellowship in Allied Health from Royal Melbourne Hospital.