Are Masculine Men Mentally Healthier? New research says yes. But not in the way you might think.
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Suicide is in the top three leading causes of death among adults. Stats also show that men are over 300% more likely to commit it. [1] This is regardless of women being more likely to suffer mental health issues, which is a determining factor for suicide. The women somehow seem to have figured out a way to cope with their mental health issues. They are better at avoiding the gruesome consequences of losing their lives. What can the men do?
Get More Masculine?
A recent analysis of 58 research papers, conducted throughout 4 decades, concluded that masculinity is a positive determinant of men's mental health. Men who scored higher on the spectrum tend to suffer less depression, a major suicidal cause. Does it mean the macho man has fewer mental issues? Should men just squat jump their suicidal thoughts? In today’s media, where masculinity is largely seen in a negative light, this finding may be disagreeable to many. Here is a closer look.
Masculinity is often portrayed as a purely social design, despite being a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social concepts. Hormones, genetics, and the musculoskeletal system play roles in determining physique and behaviour. Psychologically, there is a framework of self-concept for men. Social constructs are also a significant specifier of what behaviour is acceptable for a man. In this light, the strife seems over two polar-opposite connotations of the same word.
On one end, it is an exaggerated tendency to violence, dominance, greed, and misogyny, aka toxic masculinity. On the other side is a positive indication of courage, leadership and strength. As for the review paper, masculinity was a measure of independence, activity, competitiveness, feeling of superiority, decisiveness, perseverance, confidence, and thriving under pressure. And yes, a greater score on masculinity showed positive correlations to mental well-being.
Masculine, not Macho
One parameter on the masculinity scale was independence, which researchers have found to reduce anxiety and depression. [2] By learning to take responsibility for and grow capable of sustaining one's life, one is indirectly alleviating suicide risks. As for being active, paper after paper showed exercise lessens symptoms of depression. [3] Even if competitiveness in its highest form has a negative impact, when regulated, it's a brilliant fix for mental struggles. It creates a mental space that is least favoured by depression and anxiety. [4]
Another quite manly character was decisiveness. Taking over your life and making choices which you are willing to take accountability for restores a sense of power in a person; a fight against depression [5]. Perseverance, next on the real man’s character list, harbors purposefulness and related positive emotions. That’s instrumental in fighting off depression. [6] Low self-esteem is a common cause of depression. A man can build positive self-worth and put up a guard against depression. [7] Thriving under pressure is also crucial to developing a sense of accomplishment and resilience. It is another way to ward off depression and suicide.
So men belong to the gym, not the therapy room?
The gender and sex oriented research area is relatively in its infancy, leaving major concerns for contention. As in typical toxic masculinity, telling men with struggles to suck it up till they blow their heads off is just ridiculous. Even if the efficacy of psychopharmacological treatments differed between men and women, men benefit just as much as women from therapy.
However, it is essential to understand that the two sexes experience the same issue in an entirely different manner. While women grapple with sleep problems, eating disorders, sadness, and stress, men are more irritable, aggressive, and engage in risky behaviour when depressed. [8] Evidently, problems should be addressed accordingly. As helpful as professional treatments can be, a wholesome outlook is vital. Men cultivating their masculinity is a work put into alleviating the causal factors of suicide, like depression.
