The role of masculinity rules in male suicidal behaviors
Men show a significantly higher risk of mortality for suicide Compared to women, with a probability of two to four times greater (World Health Organization, 2021). Paradoxically, they are less inclined to share the suicidal thoughts With healthcare professionals and tend to pass faster from suicidal ideation to action (Seidler et al., 2016). Although suicidal thoughts and behaviors are at the center of numerous studies, their complex nature makes it difficult to outline the clear predictive processes. THE’suicidalfor example, does not necessarily evolve towards suicidal behaviors. In addition, traditional risk factors such as depression or previous attempts to suicidealthough they are useful for identifying vulnerable groups, they offer a limited predictive value (Franklin et al., 2016).
A new perspective to better understand thoughts and suicidal behaviors In men he is considering the role of social rules and beliefs related to masculinity. In fact, some recent studies have shown that conforming to these male rules It can increase the risk of developing suicidal thoughts and behaviors (Seidler et al., 2021).
Risk factors for suicide
Psychic disorders, in particular depressive ones, are among the main risk factors for the suicide. It is estimated that about 90% of people who died for suicide had a diagnosis of psychiatric disorder at the time of death. Among these, mood disorders, such as depression, are those most closely associated with suicide (Pompili et al., 2013).
Another risk factor well known for the suicide It is the suicidal conception. However, it is a complex and variable phenomenon, which does not follow a linear path and can be unstable over time, with significant fluctuations even in short periods. Furthermore, not all people who develop suicidal thoughts they communicate them, and men, in particular, tend to hide or minimize theirs suicidal thoughts when they turn to health workers (Oliffe et al., 2012).
Considering the unstable nature ofsuicidalsome researchers suggest focusing on more lasting constructs, such as suicidal beliefs. The suicidal beliefs refer to the distorted perceptions that an individual has of himself, who can feed the suicidal thoughts, such as feeling a weight for others or the feeling of being trapped in a situation without exit route (Eggenberger et al., 2024).
Recent studies, however, suggest that these factors do not offer a complete explanation of the suicideespecially in the men’s field (Chan et al., 2016). The suicidal behavior, in fact, is strongly influenced by the context in which the individual lives, and this suggests the need for a paradigm change.
A new risk factor
The rules of masculinityoften defined as traditional ideologies of the masculinityrepresent cultural beliefs about how men should be and behave. These beliefs, rooted in a patriarchal vision of society, emphasize characteristics such as physical strength, emotional control and avoidance of stereotypically considered female behaviors, such as the expression of vulnerability (Mahalik et al., 2003). The vision of a stoic and invulnerable man in conflict with the experience of depressive symptoms, such as sadness or low self -esteem, and many men tend to hide these symptoms through externalizing behavior, such as anger or abuse of substances, which are associated with a greater risk of suicide (Addis, 2008).
Another fundamental aspect of the traditional ideologies of the masculinity It is that they discourage the search for help. Men who adhere strongly to rules of masculinity In fact, they are less inclined to ask for help for psychological problems, thus increasing the risk of suicidal behavior (Oliffe et al., 2012).
Finally, some studies suggest that men who strongly adhere to the traditional ideologies of the masculinitycan see the suicide like a way to resume control. In this sense, the suicide It is perceived as a “male” act of liberation, an extreme response to the feeling of being trapped (Tryggvadottir et al., 2019).
The study of Eggenberger and colleagues (2024)
Egenberger and Collabortori (2024) conducted a study with the aim of examining the risk of suicide in men analyzing the relationship between conformity to rules of masculinitydepression, search for help, suicidal behaviors and suicidal beliefs. Through an online survey, three distinct profiles were identified.
The first profile, called “stoico” (about 25% of the sample), is characterized by a strong compliance with rules of masculinity such as emotional control, self -sufficiency and risk taking. Men in this group showed a twice greater risk of attempts to suicide compared to other groups. In particular, the “stoics” tend to somatize depressive symptoms and avoid the expression of emotional vulnerability, often behaving in a risky way.
The second profile, called “players”, stands out for a strong adhesion to patriarchal beliefs, sexist and oriented to power and dominance, with a greater approval of sexual promiscuity. Although they also present outsourcing depressive symptoms, they have not shown an increase in suicidal risk, nor stronger suicidal beliefs.
The third profile, that of the “egalitaries”, includes men who tend to have more open attitudes towards emotional vulnerability and the search for help. This group showed the lowest risk of suicide And it has a greater predisposition to seek psychotherapeutic support.
The results suggest that the “stoic” profile is particularly vulnerable to suicidal behaviors due to the combination of restrictive emotionality, self -sufficiency and masked depressive symptoms. Men in this group, while living a strong psychological distress, are less inclined to seek help and often do not receive the necessary treatment.
Future perspectives
The information and data reported clearly highlight the need to consider cultural and gender norms as central factors in the prevention interventions of the suicide. The promotion of programs that encourage emotional expression, the search for help and the adoption of masculinity models more inclusive and flexible, it could be crucial to reduce the risk of suicide among men, in particular those who strongly adhere to rules of masculinity. In addition, it is essential to continue with further research, including a variety of cultural and social contexts, to confirm and generalize the results and to develop more effective intervention strategies for the entire male population.
