Masculinity in young men: associations with mental health and suicidality

Project Details

The social norms that define appropriate masculine roles and behaviours are prescribed from a young age. For young males, adolescence can be understood as a period in which the embodiment of masculinity is redefined and reshaped, shifting toward adult configurations of masculinity. The relationship between adherence to masculinity and suicidality/mental health among adolescents has been under-investigated and little is known about how norms about masculinity change over the period of adolescence, nor about how associations between masculinity and suicidality/mental health change over time. Identifying damaging (and health promoting) masculine norms in adolescence is critical to intervening to prevent their damaging effects on adolescent mental health and wellbeing.

This study will seek to quantify the relationship between masculinity and suicidality/mental health in young males. Using the Ten to Men study, a Longitudinal Cohort Study of Australian men and boys, associations between conformity to masculinity and mental health/suicidality will be examined both overall, and across different masculinity sub-scales.

The specific aims of this work are:

  1. to examine the patterning of masculinity among young Australian males aged 15-24, and;
  2. to examine associations between expressions of masculinity and suicidality and mental health among young males aged 15-24 years.

Funding

Early Career Researcher Grants Scheme, University of Melbourne 2018

Research Group




Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

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