Men’s mental health in a university community during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study aims to identify associations between sociodemographic characteristics and mental health, behaviors, and perceptions among men in a Brazilian university community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A total of 862 subjects participated, responding to an online questionnaire with sociodemographic questions, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being scale. Results The results indicate that sociodemographic characteristics are associated with the mental health, behaviors, and perceptions of the participants. Variables such as age, race, occupation, marital status, and living arrangements during the period of social distancing relate in different ways to levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as psychological well-being, in addition to behaviors and perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion The results highlight the need to consider the specificities of the male population facing the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasize the importance of investing in health actions that consider the influence of the process of social construction of masculinities.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Masculinity
• Men’s health
• Mental health
• Racial and ethnic differences