[The effects of changes in attitudes toward masculinity in the psychotherapy of depression].

Abstract

Introduction: In recent decades, serious changes have been observed in social gender roles. More and more publications have been published regarding the connection between masculinity and mental disorders. Most of the professional guidelines related to major depression have not been adapted yet to social changes in gender roles, or only to a small extent.

Objective: The authors of the article present the possible influence of masculinity on psychotherapies, focusing on clients suffering from major depressive disorder.

Method: In our manuscript, we first summarize the psychosocial changes that affect the male gender role in Western societies. After that, we review the possible impact of this transformation on psychotherapies. We mainly deal with the relationship between the onset of major depressive disorder and the male gender role. At the end of our publication, we make recommendations on how to integrate our knowledge of masculinity into the context of therapy.

Results: Individual socialization differences related to the male gender role and social expectations can greatly influence the appearance of mental illnesses. Internalized and externalized symptoms should also be taken into account in the recognition and treatment of major depressive disorder. Positive masculinity as a therapeutic framework can be successfully combined with specific psychotherapies in order to personalize the healing process.

Conclusions: In recent years, mental health care sensitive to gender roles has gained more and more space. Although we already have more and more information about how masculinization affects the clinical picture of mental illness, such as major depressive disorder, further studies are needed for more effective diagnosis and therapy.