Conformity to Masculine Norms and Its Impact on Male Suicide Patterns

The study, titled “Men’s Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Conformity to Masculine Norms: A Person-Centered, Latent Profile Approach” by Lukas Eggenberger, Lena Spangenberg, and Matthew C. Genuchi, investigates the association of men’s conformity to traditional masculine norms with Suicidal thoughts and patterns. This investigation is particularly pertinent since suicide rates among men are significantly higher than those among women worldwide, hence the urgent priority of identifying gender-specific risk factors in effective mental health interventions. 

Background and Rationale: 

According to the research studies, men are more likely to act on their suicidal ideations and thoughts than women. Traditionally, masculine norms refer to social expectations about the behaviour and attitudes appropriate for men. These include a set of desirable traits, often prioritizing such qualities as emotional stoicism, self-reliance, competitiveness, and a willingness to take risks. While these traits may be considered positive in some ways, they may also play a role in undesirable psychological effects.

Compliance with these norms may inhibit men from displaying vulnerability or seeking support, thus increasing their likelihood of experiencing emotional isolation and psychological distress. Several studies have found a link between CMN and poor mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. However, previous work has generally tended to treat CMN as one cohesive construct without delving into which variations or interplay of those norms may further the mental health-related outcomes. In this paper, Eggenberger et al. fill this lacuna by taking a person-centered approach to analyze separate profiles of conformity to masculine norms and to find their links to suicidal thinking and behavior. 

How did they Conduct the Research? 

Anonymous online surveys in the region of cisgender males from German-speaking countries were taken from a sample of 488 participants. It involved data and responses regarding validated psychological scales on demographics and conformity to masculine norms, depressive symptoms, psychotherapy utilization, and suicidal ideation and behaviors. The Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI) was the key instrument used to measure CMN. This inventory assesses various dimensions of masculinity, including emotional control, dominance, self-reliance, and risk-taking. The questionnaire also included items related to somatic symptoms of depression and perceptions of emotional pain. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to analyze the data, which is a statistical technique that identifies subgroups, or profiles, within a population based on shared response patterns. 

Three latent profiles were identified, representing different patterns of conformity to masculine norms. 

1. Egalitarians (58.6%): Their rated conformity was low on all dimensions of masculine norms. They displayed a balanced state in expressing emotion, social relationships, and self-concept. They had the lowest risk to commit suicide and self-harm. 
2. Players (16.0%): The members of this group were characterized by high levels of patriarchal beliefs, sexual promiscuity, and a strong emphasis on heterosexual self-presentation. This profile was associated with some risk factors for psychological distress but was not as strongly correlated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors as other profiles. 
3. Stoics (25.4%): Characterized by high levels of restrictive emotionality, self-reliance, and risk-taking behaviors, this profile showed an overwhelmingly higher suicidal ideation and attempts as compared to other categories. Specifically, Stoics were significantly more likely than other categories to have attempted suicide during their lifetime, as they were 2.32 times more likely than Egalitarians. Moreover, Stoics presented with a specific pattern of somatization of depressive symptoms, of psychologically experienced stress as expressed somatically rather than emotionally. 

The Stoic profile was the most susceptible to suicidal behaviors, which indicates the dangerous interplay of emotional restriction and avoidance of help-seeking behaviors. Men in this profile internalize distress, which exacerbates feelings of hopelessness and increases the perceived unbearable nature of emotional pain. This combination of psychological and behavioral tendencies creates a high-risk environment for suicidal ideation and attempts. 

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This underlines that certain masculine norms, which call for the emotional control and self-reliance of men, indeed pose significant mental health risks. Such rigid adherents of the norms will only compound stress with life challenges as their coping mechanisms would be restricted to internalization or high-risk behavior. This increases the risk even more, as untreated mental health problems may mushroom into severe crises. The profiles found in this study allow for a better understanding of how conformity to masculinity can take on different forms among different individuals and affect mental health outcomes in various ways. 

The research stresses that the focus on the more vulnerable Stoic profile should come from tailoring interventions to respond to the mental health needs and beliefs of groups considered at greater risk. More conventional approaches merely focused on convincing men to be help-seeking rather than challenging normative beliefs surrounding the suppression of emotion and being independent. Interventions that promote emotional literacy normalize vulnerability, and provide accessible, non-stigmatizing mental health resources are critical for reducing suicide risk among men. 

Implications for Mental Health Practice: 

Some consequences of these research findings exist. For the providers, these clinical implications require assessing and treating a male client when the provider can be alert for the effects masculine norms play on his profile or assessment. 

Second, public health campaigns to reduce suicide rates among men should challenge harmful stereotypes about masculinity. Campaigns that emphasize the strength of vulnerability, the value of connection, and the importance of mental health support can help shift cultural perceptions and encourage healthier coping strategies. Community-based programs that foster peer support among men may also provide a less intimidating entry point for discussing mental health concerns. Qualitative research could provide a more in-depth understanding of the personal experiences of men who adhere to various masculine profiles, thereby adding contextual narratives to the quantitative findings.

Conclusion: 

The study by Eggenberger, Spangenberg, and Genuchi further expands our knowledge of the complex relationship between masculine norms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in men. By using a person-centered, latent profile approach, the researchers shed light on the various ways in which conformity to masculinity can be expressed and identify specific high-risk groups, particularly Stoics.