The transformation of masculinity orientations and work-related attitudes in men treated for depression (TRANSMODE): study protocol for a mixed-methods observational study
Creators: name: Krumm, Silvia
name: Krieg, Gironimo
name: Lamp, Natalie
name: Marek, Franziska
name: Nickel, Paul
name: Panzirsch, Maria
name: Stiawa, Maja
name: Beschoner, Petra
name: Brieger, Peter
name: Frasch, Karel
name: Gertzen, Marcus
name: Gündel, Harald
name: Hasan, Alkomiet
name: Jäger, Markus
name: Kling-Lourenco, Paulo
name: Koussemou, José Marie
name: Steber, Raimund
name: Reinhold, Kilian
Publisher: name: Universität Ulm
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Men´s depression
subject: Work-related attitudes
subject: Mix-methods study
subject: Latent transition analysis
subject: Qualitative study
subject: Partners of depressed men
subject: Dyadic coping
subject: DDC 150 / Psychology
subject: Occupational diseases
subject: Qualitative research
subject: Adjustment (Psychology)
subject: Depressive disorder
subject: Depression
subject: Arbeitsmotivation
subject: Probabilistische Testtheorie
subject: Qualitative Sozialforschung
subject: Dyadisches Coping

description: Background Masculinity norms play a crucial role in men’s help-seeking behaviors, service-use, and coping strategies for depression. While previous studies provided evidence for the association between gender role orientations, work related attitudes, stigmatization of men with depression and depressive symptoms, it remains unclear to what extent gender role orientations change over time and whether psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment have an impact on these transformations. Additionally, the role of partners in supporting depressed men and the impact of dyadic coping on these processes have not been explored. The aim of this study is to investigate how masculinity orientations and work-related attitudes change over time in men treated for depression, and to examine the role of their partners and dyadic coping in these transformation processes. Methods TRANSMODE is a prospective longitudinal mixed-methods study investigating the transformation of masculinity orientations and work-related attitudes in men treated for depression between the ages of 18 and 65 from different settings in Germany. The study will recruit 350 men from various settings for quantitative analysis. By applying a latent transition analysis, the primary outcome are changes in masculine orientations and work-related attitudes over time, measured at four times (t0, t1, t2, t3) with intervals of 6 months. Qualitative interview with a subsample of depressed men selected using latent profile analysis, will be conducted between t0 and t1 (a1) with a follow-up of 12 months (a2). In addition, qualitative interviews with the partners of depressed men will be conducted between t2 and t3 (p1). Qualitative data will be analysed using qualitative structured content analysis. Discussion A comprehensive understanding of the transformation processes of masculinity orientations over time including the impact of psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment and the role of partners can lead to the development of gender-sensitive depression treatment tailored to the unique needs of men with depression. Thus, the study can promote more effective and successful treatment outcomes and further contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues among men and encourage them for mental health service use.