Thought suppression strategies as mediators between traditional masculinity ideology and externalized depressive symptoms in men

The role of externalizing symptoms in men’s experiences of depression, including the link between externalizing symptoms and traditional masculinity ideologies (TMI), has emerged as a key consideration in men’s mental health. Within this context, men’s strategies to manage uncomfortable thoughts and emotions (e.g. restricted emotionality, alexithymia) have been featured. In order to respond to existing gaps in the literature, the purpose of this study was to examine thought suppression as a mediator in the relationship between TMI (self-reliance through mechanical skills, avoidance of femininity, toughness, dominance, restrictive emotionality, importance of sex, negativity towards sexual minorities) and externalizing depressive symptoms (e.g. aggression, alcohol use, risk taking behaviors) as well as explore how each thought suppression strategy differentially mediates the relationship between TMI and externalizing depressive symptoms. Self-report data were used from 785 US men (mean age = 37.78 years-old, SD = 14.05) who completed an online survey. Results indicated that TMI was directly associated with externalizing depressive symptoms, and that thought suppression mediated the relationship between TMI and externalizing depressive symptoms. Additionally, the thought suppression strategies of punishment and worry mediated the relationship between TMI and externalizing depressive symptoms. Given the additional insight into punishment and worry in the role of men’s externalizing depressive symptoms, acceptance-based interventions, such as mindfulness, may provide benefits for men who engage in thought suppression to manage their internal experience.