Approved projects
See all research projects that have been approved to access and use Ten to Men data.
From 2019 to 2024, 88 research projects have been approved to access and use Ten to Men data. The sections below list these projects by year, including their:
- purpose
- lead investigator
- affiliated organisation.
The range of research topics is indicative of the many uses of Ten to Men data.
Project name | Lead investigator | About |
---|---|---|
Improving our understanding of perpetrators of intimate partner violence | Anne Summers, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) | This research project aims to develop a better understanding of perpetrators of domestic violence. This is part of a broader research project which aims to deepen our understanding of the nature, prevalence and impacts of intimate partner violence. Within existing research on domestic violence there is very little known about perpetrators so improving our understanding of these is essential to addressing and preventing partner violence. To do so, we will use 'Ten to Men' data to analyse the socio-economic, demographic, and health characteristics of those who self-report perpetrating intimate partner violence. |
Perinatal mental health from the perspective of the 'other' parent | Matthew John Tulle, Childrens Health QLD | 'Together in Mind' is a 6-week collaborative group intervention providing psychoeducation sessions and support for mothers who have a diagnosis of moderate to severe mental illness with an infant under 12 months. It is facilitated collaboratively by trained staff from adult mental health, child and youth mental health, and child health services. Outcomes found significant improvements of a large effect size for improvements in maternal mental health according to clinician-rating, and a medium effect found for the total score on the self-reported Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, a significant reduction across all DASS-21 subscales and statistically significant improvements in maternal–infant postnatal attachment scores. This program was piloted in 2009 and is now run in most Hospital and Health Services across Queenslands public mental health system. We now seek to expand the program to become more inclusive to all parents and caregivers, and so in 2024 we hope to create a program similar to Together in Mind, for fathers. We also seek to develop inclusive and flexible models that are not gender-based, and incorporate flexible programs for all types of families. To do this, we need to access data on mens mental health before and after fatherhood, and also review the longitudinal aspects for mens mental health development. Without this data, we would need to do significant research of our own for which we don’t have funding. Our main question is 'what does mens mental health look like across Australia in relation to fatherhood?' and we seek to promote the importance of inclusive parenting research that involves fathers as well as mothers. |
Exploring the Burden of Selected Health Conditions in Men from Childhood to Middle-Age | Eme John, Western Sydney University | Bathurst Rural Clinical School research priorities include a range of chronic conditions and health challenges faced by males in areas MM3-7. Led by research and clinical staff, and supported by MD students, the project will focus on improving understanding of diabetes, heart disease, AF, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and stroke. In particular, we propose to explore trends in health status, behaviours, health literacy and social determinants. Our aim is to use research develop understanding and awareness of major health issues and related behaviours to contribute to overall well-being of men. |
Patterns and stability in Men’s Help-seeking for Mental Health: Is there a Fatherhood Effect? | Marlena Leslie, Deakin University | Men's underutilisation of support for mental health is consistently reported, however, there remain considerable gaps in understanding of men's help-seeking behaviours. This project has three aims: (i) to identify patterns in men's help-seeking for personal and psychological problems; (ii) to assess stability of help-seeking patterns over time; and (iii) to investigate predictors of help-seeking patterns, and in particular whether the transition to fatherhood is a motivating factor in promoting help-seeking. Findings may inform mental health service strategies to increase engagement with men who experience emotional pain or symptoms of psychological distress. |
Understanding the risk and protective factors for male intimate partner violence perpetration | Dr Siobhan O'Dean, University of Sydney | This project aims to determine the prevalence of self-reported intimate partner violence victimisation and perpetration, and understand the person (e.g., attitudes, substance use, mental health) and social/environmental risk and protective factors for IPV in a contemporary cohort of Australian men. |
Prevalance and correlates of on consistent reporting of lifetime suicidal behavior among Australia Men | Dr Tilahun Haregu, The University of Melbourne | Previous studies have highlighted the inconsistent reporting of suicidal thoughts across various populations. However, the evidence regarding the prevalence and underlying causes of this inconsistency remains inconclusive. This study aims to address this gap by analysing four waves of nationally representative data to determine the prevalence and identify predictors of inconsistent reporting of suicidal behaviour among Australian males. |
Latent Profiles and Correlates of Problem Gambling Behaviour in Australian Men | Dr Vincent Mancini, Telethon Kids Institute | Problem gambling behaviours (PGBs) are a social concern. Young men are particularly vulnerable to engage in both high frequency and high value gambling behaviours. The consequences of PGBs exceed financial losses and can also have an impact on psychoscial wellbeing. Less is known in Australian samples about what factors may increase a man’s susceptibility to engaging in PGBs. Identifying these risk factors early is important, as it can provide opportunity for timely intervention. Using one of Australia’s largest datasets that covers men’s psychosocial wellbeing, we will explore what factors increase risk, and may promote resilience, against PGBs in men. |
Depression and Problem Gambling in Australian Men (Focusing on Social support and loneliness) | Dr Vincent Mancini, Telethon Kids Institute | Problem gambling has been an escalating global concern, posing financial, mental and physical health concerns. Men have been found to disproportionately greater risk of problem gambling, particularly those experiencing poorer psychosocial functioning. While higher level of depressive vulnerability has been previously shown to be positively related with higher problem gambling behaviour, it remains unclear if this ink is moderated by other processes such as loneliness and social support. Capitalising on the large-scale longitudinal study, we will explore such factors and their influences on the effects of depression on problem gambling in men. |
Masculinity and Mental Health Service Utilisation | Gyeore Cha, Monash University | This research project explores the relationship between masculinity and mental health service utilisation among Australian men. The project will investigate how adherence to masculine norms is associated with whether men with mental health symptoms seek and receive mental health care, and how this relationship varies by socioeconomic characteristics and industry of employment, in particular male-dominated industries such as construction and mining. This project aims to provide insights into the barriers to accessing mental health care and sub-populations who would benefit from more targeted support and contribute to new evidence that will help to reduce inequities in access to needed healthcare. |
Exploring Predictors of Mental Ill-health and Help-seeking Behaviours Amongst Rural Australian Males | Kate McCumstie, University of Newcastle | In rural Australia, men’s mental health has become a growing concern. Due to factors like isolation, social norms, and limited access to services, it has been referred to as a "silent crisis." Despite similar rates of mental illness between rural and urban areas, rural men are less likely to seek help or acknowledge their struggles. This underutilisation of support services contributes to higher suicide rates in rural communities, with young men being particularly vulnerable. For this reason, understanding the predictors of mental distress and help-seeking behaviors in rural men is crucial. This proposed study will explore these factors to inform strategies for reducing the existing mental health disparities between rural and urban Australian males. |
Suicide and Self-harm in Schizophrenia | Dr Carl Moller, Deakin University | Associations between schizophrenia, suicidality, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are widely reported, however much of this evidence is derived from clinical samples, such as hospital inpatients. There is an emerging body of evidence demonstrating increased risk of suicidality and NSSI in schizophrenia using representative community-based data, however this is relatively limited. There is very scant evidence from Australian community-based samples on these associations. This study aims to examine longitudinal associations between schizophrenia, suicidality, and NSSI among a representative community-based sample of Australian men. Findings will help identify potential prevention and early intervention targets for both suicidality and NSSI. |
Prevalence of Modifiable Risk Factors for Birth and Offspring Outcomes in Australian Men | Associate Professor Jacqui Macdonald, Deakin University | Modifiable preconception factors such as alcohol consumption, body composition, and cigarette use can pose risk to pregnancy and the healthy development of future offspring. The prevalence of modifiable risk factors to pregnancy and offspring outcomes in Australian men of reproductive age is unknown. This study will use Ten to Men data to estimate the prevalence of these risk factors in Australian men and to investigate concurrent demographic and health system access factors associated with the presence of single and co-morbid modifiable preconception risk factors. Findings will aid the targeting of healthcare responses to reduce modifiable preconception risk in Australian men. |
Towards a holistic priority setting approach for chronic disease management to tackle loneliness and social isolation in Australia | Professor Cathy Mihalopoulos, Monash University | Loneliness and social isolation represent major public health challenges, with one in four Australians experiencing problematic levels of loneliness. This project aims to conduct evidence mapping of the landscape of loneliness and social isolation within Australia. There are two sub-studies that will be carried out: i) predicting loneliness and social isolation across geographical units for targeted chronic disease management and ii) determining the cost and quality of life impacts associated with loneliness and social isolation adjusted for chronic conditions. |
Structure and Psychosocial Correlates of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory-22 | Dr Vincent Mancini, Telethon Kids Institute | The measurement of men's conformity to masculine norms is an underappreciated science. The relevance of masculine norms in predicting a range of mental, physical, and social outcomes has been established in past research. However, ensuring that we are measuring conformity to masculine norms accurately is essential. This project will (a) analyse the factor structure of the CMNI-22 (a popular measure of conformity to masculine norms), and (b) compare alternative structures of the measurement in their ability to predict key mental health and social outcomes established in past research. |
Inequalities in hearing health in adult men from ethnically diverse communities in Australia. | Dumini de Silva, University of Queensland | A higher prevalence of hearing loss and barriers to accessing hearing services were reported among people from diverse ethnic communities. In Australia, one in six persons experience hearing loss. However, there is no evidence on how hearing health affects psychosocial, and occupational outcomes for half of the Australian population, which includes ethnically diverse communities. This project by The University of Queensland explores whether there are inequalities in self-reported hearing loss and its outcomes among men from ethnically diverse communities. |
Examining the relationship between life events and physical activity and sedentary behaviour | Dr Aymen El Masri, Western Sydney University | It is known that males experience poorer health outcomes and are more likely to engage in poorer lifestyle behaviours, such as physical inactivity, than females. Healthy lifestyle behaviours, including regular physical activity, are beneficial for the prevention and management of many chronic conditions. Life transitions are a crucial period of life (e.g., getting married, parenthood), and can have a long-lasting impact in shaping health trajectories into midlife. The aim of this project is to (1) examine the associations between fatherhood and physical activity and sedentary behaviour and (2) examine the impact of life transitions on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. |
Common mental disorders and related healthcare service utilisations among Australian male adults: space and time variation and prediction | Wegayehu Enbeyle Sheferaw, University of Canberra | Common mental disorders (CMDs) have been recognized as significant public health concerns, particularly in high-income countries. More than one in five Australians have experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months, with 7.5% and 17.2% of individuals having depressive, and anxiety disorders respectively (1). Moreover, CMDs rates vary geographically, from 19.8% in New Suth Wales to 28.8% in Northern Territory (1). Evidence suggests that the burden of mental health problems among men in Australia has not received sufficient attention (2). Therefore, this study will examine the burden of common mental disorders and related healthcare service utilisations among Australian men. |
Understanding addiction and the associated health delivery models in rural, regional and metropolitan areas | Dr Natalia Albein-Urios, Federation University | People living in rural and regional communities commonly experience more disadvantages when accessing mental health services compared to those living in metropolitan areas. In this study, we will explore the patterns, risk factors and health comorbidities in males with addiction disorders in urban and non-urban contexts. In addition, we will investigate the use and the effect of mental health delivery models (e.g., telehealth), and the direct relationship with health outcomes in different geographical location within Australia. |
Understanding the sexual and reproductive health care needs of men from migrant and refugee backgrounds | Dr Zohra Lassi, University of Adelaide | We aim to understand the capacity at which men from CALD backgrounds in Australia seek sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Understanding the trends in SRH service usage and outcomes will help us to better understand how to improve service usage and experience to ultimately improve their SRH outcomes. |
Identify barriers and facilitators to help-seeking behaviours in young men engaged with risky alcohol habits | Dr Jasleen Chhabra, University of Melbourne | 31% of Australians aged over 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky revels in 2022-2023 (NDSHS, 2023), with males (39%) more likely to drink at risky levels than females (23%). Risky alcohol consumption in young men has been associated with substantial mental health impacts (e.g., depression). This study broadly aims to identify the barriers and facilitators of the help-seeking behaviours in young men engaging in risky alcohol consumption and examine the role of other risky behaviours (e.g., gambling) and protective factors (e.g., health literacy) in men’s likelihood of help-seeking. |
Ten to Men: The preconception health and health behaviours of Australian first-time fathers. | Mr Tristan Carter, University of Technology Sydney | This study explores the health and health behaviours of Australian first time fathers before conception, during preconception, to further enable the National Men’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 which calls for increased attention on both preconception health and fatherhood. Ten to Men analysis focuses specifically on males who have reported 'becoming a father for the first time' in the previous 12 months in each wave and then retrospectively analyses their health and health behviours (for example - health conditions, alcohol consumption, or practitioner consultations) in each of the prior wave/s. |
Project name | Lead investigator | About |
---|---|---|
Asthma and mental health problems associations | Diana Garcia, University of Queensland | There are variations in the severity and quality of life experienced by individuals with asthma, and these differences can be influenced by gender. Emotional problems among asthma patients also demonstrate gender discrepancies. In a previous study, we found 4-5 years old boys with asthma are less likely to develop anxiety later than girls. Children with anxiety at the same age did not have a higher risk to develop asthma later than no asthmatic children. Our aim is to evaluate if the directionality between asthma and anxiety is maintained during late childhood adolescence and adulthood. We will also examine the correlation between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and asthma. |
'Dad-related Determinants' for Child Health and Wellbeing: Identification of Paternal Risk and Resilience Factors | Dr Vincent Mancini, Telethon Kids Institute | The absence of healthy father involvement in childhood is thought to be a risk factor for poor health and wellbeing of children in later life. However, these deficit-based approaches may undermine positive and protective determinants that can (a) protect boys against absent or poor-quality fathering, and (b) engender involved and good quality fathering amongst those who did not have positive relationships with their own fathers. This study investigates the association that fathering quality has on the health and wellbeing of boys and men, and will generate evidence that informs the paternal risk and resilience factors to positive health and wellbeing. |
Masculinity, access and health behaviour of Australian men | Dr Kei Sakata, Australian Institute of Family Studies | This project examines how masculinity and access to health services affect health behaviour of Australian males. First, this study will examine how masculinity and access affects GP visits and treatment behaviour. Secondly, the relationship between masculinity and risk taking behaviour (drinking, smoking, and gambling) will be examined. Thirdly, this study examines the interplay of masculinity, mental health, and employment (occupations). |
Masculinity on Intimate Partner Violence and Bullying: Exploring the Moderating Effects of Sexual Orientation | Dr Kai Lin, University of Technology Sydney | This study proposes to explore two research questions: (1) the influence of masculinity ideology on intimate partner violence perpetration (IPV) among adult men across different perceived and self-identified sexual orientations and (2) the longitudinal influence of masculinity ideology on bullying perpetration/victimisation as it interacts with previous experience of bullying perpetration/victimisation among adolescent boys. In particular, the proposed study will compare across men and boys of different perceived and self-identified sexual orientations. Previous research has demonstrated a link between conformity to masculinity ideology and IPV perpetration not only among heterosexual men, but also among bisexual and gay men. However, much of the research conducted on sexual minority men used qualitative data. The proposed study is intended to test this link with quantitative data. With regard to the nexus between bullying victimisation and subsequent bullying perpetration, this study will explore the potential mediating role of masculinity ideology and sexual orientation. |
The Association Between Depression, Anxiety and Heart Disease: A Longitudinal Study | Lachlan O'Connor, University of Newcastle | This study will investigate the association between depression, anxiety, and heart disease in Australian men. Previous research indicates that comorbid depression and anxiety significantly increased the risk of heart disease in Australian women. Given that important differences exist in how males and females experience anxiety, depression, and heart disease, this project will examine whether this pattern also holds true for Australian males. We will also investigate whether a history of heart disease predicts future risk of developing depression and/or anxiety. |
The interaction of masculine norms with cannabis consumption in predicting formal help seeking of Australian males | Peter Allan Thomson, University of Adelaide | Studies have found that certain masculine traits can help predict how likely a man is to use cannabis or to engage with health services. Other studies have found that a significant amount of cannabis users take the drug to self medicate with the aim of relieving discomfort. Theories of help seeking often start with recognising that there is a problem, but if cannabis is making a person feel better, might seeking help take longer? This research aims to find out what effect, if any, cannabis use and masculinity have on the health service utilisation of Australian men. |
The role of help-seeking in the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and suicidality in men | Simone Scotti Requena, University of Melbourne | In 2020 Australian males were three times more likely to die by suicide than females. Various explanations to this disparity in suicide deaths among males have been suggested, such as that compared to females, males tend to prefer more lethal suicide methods, are more likely to engage in problematic levels of alcohol and drug use and are less likely to express emotions and seek help. The aim of this study is to examine the association between adherence to masculine norms and suicidality and to quantify the effect mediated through help-seeking behaviours. |
What are the odds? Exploring Conformity to Masculine Norms and Gambling Behaviour in Australian Men | Hannah Venables, RMIT University | Gambling contributes to significant individual and social harm. Prior research has shown gender differences in gambling behaviour, with Men, particularly young men showing a preference for skill-based gambling products such as sports betting. Qualitative studies indicate that skill-based products may allow men to express their masculinity. Therefore this study aims to first; explore the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and gambling behaviour across the lifespan. |
Analysis on recurrent suicidal behaviour among Australian men | Shaosen Zhang, University of Melbourne | This study will examine the patterns of recurrent suicidal behavior, the contributing and protecting factors associated with it among Australian men with a history of suicidal behavior. This study will use data from waves 1-3 of the Ten to Men study for variables associated with suicidal behavior. By examining the factors contributing to and protecting against recurrent suicidal behavior, this research will generate multifaceted insight into such behavior and thereby generate important evidence that will inform the improvement of mental health service delivery for people with suicidal behavior in Australia. |
Suicidal behaviour among men from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds in Australia | Dr Humaira Maheen, University of Melbourne | Migration-related stressors are known to elevate the risk of suicide ideation and mortality in migrant populations, but the evidence is limited for the Australian population. The project aims to understand how suicidality affects migrant men from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia. It will examine both risk and protective factors, as well as help-seeking behavior related to suicidal behavior among men from CALD backgrounds. |
Protective and Risk -based Behaviours and their relationship with Wellbeing and Mental Health | Dr Ian Zajac, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation | Well-being and mental health are dynamic in nature, both changing to varying degrees over time. Evidence suggests that both domains are influenced by personal and other factors. This study aims to examine the extent to which protective behaviors including physical activity and dietary intake, as well as risk-behaviors (alcohol use, for example) predict longitudinal changes in mental health and wellbeing over time. In particular, this study will assess whether engagement in protective behaviors are beneficial for supporting long-term wellbeing and mental health. |
Trajectories of mental health symptoms and wellbeing in the transition to fatherhood | Dr Edward O'Connor, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation | The transition to fatherhood involves significant psychosocial and behavioural changes, with increased risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns among new dads. However, fatherhood also elicits intense positive emotional experiences , and can enrich a man’s sense of life purpose and meaning. The co-existence of paternal distress and mental wellbeing is well described in qualitative literature, but few quantitative studies have investigated this phenomenon. This research will identify trajectories of distress and mental wellbeing during the transition to fatherhood, while exploring the social and behavioural factors differentiating those who adapt successfully to fatherhood from those who require greater support. |
Masculinity and Intimate Partner Violence: What Role Does Alcohol Use Play? | Breanna Willoughby, La Trobe University | Prior research has identified heavy alcohol use and endorsement of traditional masculine norms as risk factors for the perpetration of male-to-female intimate partner violence (IPV). For some men, alcohol consumption is viewed as a marker of masculinity, however it is unclear whether alcohol use may mediate the association between traditional masculinity and IPV perpetration. Using Ten to Men data, this study aims to explore the association between traditional masculine norms and IPV perpetration among Australian men. Further, this research will examine whether there is an interaction between heavy alcohol use, endorsement of traditional masculine norms and IPV perpetration. |
Trajectories of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among Australian males | Dr Tilahun Haregu, University of Melbourne | This study will examine trajectories of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Australian males (aged 10-55 years at wave 1) over a 10-year period using the four waves of Ten to Men datasets. |
Assessing unmet need for health care and social care in older men | Paul Kowal, Australian National University | As part of a broader global effort to understand the levels of unmet need for health care and social care in different world regions, we are also wanting to better understand the drivers and impacts of unmet need on population health levels and for progress towards universal health coverage. In Australia, the estimates of unmet need for health care could be used as part of discussions about health workforce planning modelling with the National Centre for Health Workforce Studies. For Ten to Men, the main population of interest is men aged 30+ years in Wave 1 over time (i.e., Waves 2 to 4). |
Healthy Masculinities Review | Jessica McConnell, Department of Social Services | This study will investigate broad concepts and trends between men's masculinity and their sexuality, behaviors, health, interpersonal relationships, and willingness to seek help. In particular, it will attempt to determine what can be learnt from relationships between norms and behaviors in traditional areas of public health such as between help seeking and mental or physical health outcomes to see if it holds true to their experiences of interpersonal relations such as bullying or partner violence. |
The sexual health of Australian men: Exploring variations in sexual difficulties, health literacy and service utilisation | Dr Zelalem Mengesha, University of Canberra | Previous quantitative studies on men's sexual health in Australia conceptualised men as homogeneous groups which negates differences between men from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Australian born men, and Indigenous background men. This study will examine differences in sexual difficulties, health literacy and service utilisation using data from the Ten to Men study. The study will also identify health and lifestyle factors associated with sexual difficulties, health literacy levels and health service utilisation for sexual health issues. |
Movember Men's Health Report - Australia | Margaret McGee, Movember | To accompany Movember’s new Impact Strategy, an Australian Policy Report is being prepared for release in June 2024 that is to include TTM data presented in interactive tabular and graphical form, accompanied by other reputable data and lived experience, to guide an understanding of the health and social issues facing men living in Australia, what’s working and provide the evidence and direction for future policy asks and advocacy to advance boys and men's health. Data summaries, segmented by variables reflecting key health determinants, will include those for health status, health literacy, risk factors for premature mortality and health care utilisation. |
Project name | Lead investigator | About |
---|---|---|
Examining Health Behaviours as Predictors of Mental Health for Males Employed in Australian Protective Services | Dean Neighbour, University of Newcastle | Men working in Australia's protective services (e.g., defence force, fire fighters, police) report significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to men in the general population. Some evidence suggests they are also at risk of suboptimal lifestyle health behaviours, which may be contributing to their mental health concerns. To identify potential targets for future interventions, this project will examine the prevalence of physical inactivity, risky alcohol use, and poor sleep in Australian men working in the protective services. It will also investigate whether these lifestyle factors significantly contribute to the increased rates of mental ill-health in this at-risk subgroup. |
Exploring moderators of the link between relationship dissolution and men's suicidality | Michael Wilson, The University of Melbourne (Centre for Youth Mental Health/Orygen) | In 2021, men comprised 75% of all deaths by suicide in Australia. Marital status is consistently associated with men's risk of suicide, where separated or divorced men are at elevated risk. Relationship breakdown is also a common precipitant of suicidal behaviour in men. Factors associated with men's suicidal thoughts and behaviours following relationship breakdown remain under-explored. Identifying moderators of the link between relationship breakdown and suicide (such as levels of social support, masculinity, and alcohol use) will help to improve our understanding of which men are vulnerable to suicide following relationship breakdown, and why. |
Identifying Correlates of Suicidal Ideation among Male Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic | India Connick, University of Newcastle | Studies show that COVID-19 has amplified the mental health risks faced by frontline healthcare workers. Further, being a male is a leading risk factor for suicidal ideation in this at-risk group. However, few studies have examined which factors place males specifically at increased risk of self-harm or suicidal ideation, and which factors are protective. To further the evidence, this study will examine the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation in a sample of male healthcare workers using data collected during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Is Job Stress Associated with the Physical and Mental Health of Male Corporate Executives? A cross-sectional analysis | Hayley Armstrong, University of Newcastle | Corporate Executives play a critical role in organisations, but may experience significant job- related stress due to the nature of their role. These workplace stressors may also contribute to worsened physical and mental health. Although studies have identified associated between job stress and health, few studies have included Corporate Executives or examined gender-specific effects in men. Using Ten to Men data, this project will examine patterns of self-reported job stress in male Corporate Executives and investigate associations between job stress and other physical and mental health indicators in this subgroup. |
Mental health among Australian men in project-intensive and male- dominated industries | Valerie Francis, University of Melbourne | Despite the commonly known impact of psychosocial job stressors and masculine norms adherence to mental health issues, there is a lack of research on the association between project-intensive industries and mental health. Construction, as one of the project-intensive and male-dominated industries, possess project characteristics with the potential to amplify the adverse impacts of job stressors and masculine norms, increasing the risk for mental ill- health than the non-project-intensive industries. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted construction projects and work changes further impact mental health in construction. Knowledge of the project-specific impacts allows for the development of preventative programs and policies for mitigating increased mental health issues in the construction industry and other project-intensive industries. |
Patterns and predictors of mental health service utilization among Australian males with suicidal behaviours | Darcy Vickers, University of Melbourne | According to the Ten to Men study, 17% of males have experienced suicidal ideation, 10% have made a suicidal plan and 5% attempted suicide. Little is known regarding mental health service utilisation in these men over periods of time. This research aims to identify factors and patterns of mental health service use, in order to best predict and inform best use of mental health services in this population of men. |
Self-care behaviours among Australian men | Amie Steel, University of Technology Sydney | This study aims to describe self-care behaviours of Australian men including visits with health professionals and lifestyle behaviours. It will also explore characteristics that may predict the likelihood of men engaging in self-care behaviours. |
The economic cost of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disability | Dennis McCarthy, The Centre for International Economics | This project aims to estimate the economic cost of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. People with disability experience these harms at higher rates than the general population, and the impact on outcomes such as employment, mental wellbeing and life satisfaction are expected to be more severe. Data from Ten to Men will be used to understand the relationship between experiencing these harms and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. We will also analyse why people with disability have lower levels of physical activity and overall life satisfaction than the general population. |
The Effect of Anxiety on Men's Depression and Suicide | Krista Fisher, University of Melbourne | Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health disorder experienced by men. If left untreated, anxiety is predictive of later psychiatric disorders including depression and associated suicide risk. Numerous empirical studies have suggested anxiety is a unique risk factor for suicide attempts and fatalities even when other co-morbid mental health conditions (i.e., depression and substance misuse) are controlled for. Despite the prevalence and impact of men's anxiety, it remains largely overlooked in the field of men's mental health. Our research seeks to fill this gap by exploring the association between anxiety, depression and suicide among boys and men in the Ten to Men study. |
The Impact of Bullying in Emerging Adolescence on the Physical and Mental Health of Adult Australian Men | Kate McCumstie, University of Newcastle | This study will investigate the long-term physical and mental consequences of bullying during adolescence. Previous research indicates bullying in early adolescence not only negatively impacts upon physical and mental health in the short term, but could have a lasting impact into adulthood. Given Australian boys are more likely to report being bullied during school, it is important to investigate whether these early life experiences act as predictors of poor health outcomes in men later in life. This study will examine the impact of bullying during adolescence on depression, smoking status, nutrition, alcohol intake, physical inactivity, and weight status in adulthood. |
Using Workplace Data Analytics to Predict Mental Illness | Andrew R. Timming, RMIT University | This research aims to determine the effect of work-related variables on the suicidal thought and behavior of the male employee population. By employing ordinary linear regression (OLS) analysis, this study will test the relationship between several independent variables: income, working hours, job satisfaction and predicted future employment and the dependent variables: suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts. This research will also test work from home (WFH) behavior in relation to suicidal and other mental health variables. In practice, this research can provide an overview of our workplace behavior's current situation, with the objective to leverage the mental health attention in OHS literature. |
Project name | Lead investigator | About |
---|---|---|
A longitudinal study on fathers' parenting efficacy and satisfaction: paternal affection and masculinity norms as psychological resources. | Dr Jennifer StGeorge, University of Newcastle | When men and women become parents, they need to develop confidence in parenting. Fathers may learn parenting confidence through affection from their own father, and his beliefs and practices around fatherhood, masculinity, and caregiving. Fathers' mental health may also influence his parenting confidence. The aim of this study is to investigate which psychological resources are important for father's confidence and satisfaction with parenting in a sample of fathers within Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health. The findings of this study are intended to improve the health and wellbeing of men and their families in Australia. |
A Vision of Healthy Urban Design for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention | Dr Jason Thompson, The University of Melbourne | The objective of this research is to build an evidence base for the interplay between the development of non-communicable diseases (NCD), their known risk factors such as physical inactivity and alcohol consumption, and urban design. We aim to analyse data that considers both individuals and overall cities to inform about the ways individuals' health is affected by their environment. |
Are social and intermediate factors the reasons for reduced dental visits among Australian men? | Dr Shahrukh Khan, University of Melbourne | To investigate the factors associated with dental service utilisation in Australian adult men. Our work has shown that poor access to dental care is associated with social, intermediate (diabetes and stroke) and proximal factors (1) and greater risk of preventable hospital admissions (2, 3). These studies were cross-sectional and lacked ability to establish temporal relationship. We propose to use The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health wave 1 and wave 2 data to understand the relationship between social, intermediate and proximal factors with dental service utilization. |
Effectiveness of Better Access psychological treatment services among Australian men; a stratified analysis using predicted symptom trajectories | Associate Professor Meredith Harris, The University of Queensland | Since 2006, the Better Access program has aimed to increase the number of Australians accessing evidence-based psychological treatment though reimbursement of eligible providers under the Medicare Benefits Schedule. This study aims to investigate: (1) patterns of service utilisation and characteristics of men who have used Better Access psychological treatment services, and whether these have changed over time, and (2) whether mental health outcomes differ between men who have and have not used these services, according to their level of need. |
Examining the Role of Geographical Location and Health Beahviors as Moderators of the Mental Health of Heterosexual and Non- Heterosexual Young Men | Dr Richard Burns, Australian National University | Those with a non-heterosexual orientation are purported to report increased discrimination, bullying and poorer health outcomes including mental health. This project will examine the mental health risks and wellbeing for those with a non-heterosexual orientation. The project will also examine geographical variation to determine whether those living in outer regional areas are at increased risk in comparison with those in inner regions and major cities. |
Exploring the differences in sleep and health outcomes between rural and metropolitan men | Dr Lauren Booker, La Trobe University | Geographical location is increasingly being recognised as a contributor to health inequity, yet no studies to date have investigated whether sleep outcomes differ between rural and metropolitan men and the impact on health. Poor sleep outcomes are related to large range of co-morbidities (obesity, diabetes, mental health) but Australians living in rural areas have limited access to healthcare, contributing to higher levels of disease and injury. This project will aim to explore the variation in sleep and health outcomes of men between rural and metropolitan area and whether work industry type, healthcare access, socioeconomic level or other factors influence these differences. |
Exploring the link between help-seeking and suicidality in boys and men | Dr Kylie King, Monash University | Men account for three-quarters of suicide deaths in Australia. Self-reliance among men has been associated with an increased risk of suicide thoughts and suicide, and men demonstrate lower rates of help-seeking for mental health problems compared to women. Suicide prevention efforts for men have therefore focused on increasing positive attitudes towards help-seeking in an effort to reduce suicide risk. However, the link between help-seeking and suicide has not been empirically established. Our research seeks to fill this gap in research by exploring the link between attitudes towards help-seeking, help-seeking behaviour, and suicide ideation among boys and men in the Ten to Men study. |
Exploring the Translation of Mental Ill-health into Reduced Mental Wellbeing - Can Health Literacy and Resilience Buffer the Impact. | Dr Oliver Black, Menzies School of Health Research | Dual-continuum models of mental health and wellbeing separate mental illness from positive wellbeing. Although these are related concepts, a person can suffer from mental ill-health and yet have a sense of wellbeing. This analysis explores whether health literacy and resilience moderate the relationship between symptoms of common mental disorders and general wellbeing among males aged between 18-55. Further analyses may explore the role of health service use within this relationship. If sufficient sample exists, a further analyses will explore this relationship specifically among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. |
Health service use among employed males at risk of mental health problems | Yamna Taouk, University of Melbourne | Employment status and working conditions are strong determinants of adult male health. The workplace can play an important role in improving health service use in males. Work is recognized by WHO as a key social determinant of health, responsible for a wide range of health conditions, including mental health problems. Psychosocial job stressors, such as, job control, job insecurity, and psychological demands at work, are known to be important determinants of mental health. Understanding how a male's employment context influences access to services for mental health problems may facilitate the use of health services among males. |
Intersections between gambling participation, substance use, and mental ill-health and other harms among Australian men | Dr Rebecca Jenkinson, Australian Institute of Family Studies | The gambling environment in Australia is changing and gambling participation and related harms have become high-profile issues in Australian media, policy, and research discourses. Using data from multiple waves of the Ten to Men study, this research will explore gambling participation and related harm among Australian men, intersections with alcohol and other drug use, and experience of negative mental health consequences and other harms. Findings will inform the development of innovative, timely and evidence-based responses to improve the health, social, and economic outcomes for affected individuals, their peers, families, and the wider community. |
Preconception and psychosocial factors associated with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation among fathers | Associate Professor Rebecca Giallo, Murdoch Children's Research Institute | This study will determine the extent to which men experience mental health difficulties including suicidal ideation in early fatherhood. It will identify risk factors during adolescence and early adulthood associated with poor mental health in the early years after having a baby. This study will generate important evidence to inform approaches to early identification and support for men at risk of mental health difficulties in early fatherhood. |
The effect of feedback from informal help seeking on formal help- seeking behaviour | Alex Brae, The University of Adelaide | Applying signalling theory to help-seeking behaviour reveals the importance of feedback and informal social support in facilitating ongoing help-seeking behaviour. It remains unclear how feedback from informal help seeking affects future formal help-seeking behaviour. Using longitudinal data from the Ten to Men study, we propose to explore the relationship between changes in self-rated informal support among men, as a proxy for informal feedback received between waves, and men's formal healthcare utilisation. |
Understanding the links between harm to self and others | Matthew Ferriman, Australian National University | The project aims to investigate the role of suicidal behaviour in the perpetration of extreme violence. To do so the project will examine factors associated with suicidal behaviour in a cohort of predominantly male Australian and international mass murder perpetrators. The findings will then be examined against a general community sample of males to identify factors that may be associated with increased risk of extreme violence. |
Project name | Lead investigator | About |
---|---|---|
Drivers of suicidal ideation within the Australian construction industry | Simon Peter Tyler, University of South Australia | The Australian male suicide rate is currently three times greater than that of women and this increased rate flows into the male dominated construction industry. Despite regular commentary that psychosocial job factors and gender specific issues, such as masculine ideal adherence, play a major role in increased rates for this population, no research has focused on the association between these factors and suicidal ideation. With suicidal ideation expression suggested as an indicator for psychological distress and therefore increased suicide propensity, knowledge of its drivers allows for development of preventative programs and policies to mitigate increased suicide rates for construction industry workers. |
Focus on new fathers: Pilot evaluation | Dr Catherine Wade, The Parenting Research Centre | The Parenting Research Centre (PRC) has been engaged by the Ministry of Health NSW to conduct an evaluation of the pilot of the Focus on New Fathers (FONF) mental health screening program in four Local Health Districts of NSW. The Ten to Men data will be used in a baseline report to provide an indication of prevalence of paternal perinatal anxiety or depression among new fathers. |
From fathers to sons: The intergenerational transmission of hegemonic masculinity | Dr Francisco Perales, The University of Queensland | Scholarly work and public commentary indicates the resurgence of masculinity models that are risky for the men who embody them and others around them. This model, popularly referred to as "toxic masculinity", is linked to personal risks for the men that adopt it including inhibited help-seeking behavior, suicidality, interpersonal aggression and poor mental health. Through analyses of Australian survey data from Ten to Men, this project aims to identify factors influencing the development of healthy and unhealthy masculinity dispositions in youth - focusing on the role of fathers. |
Job stressors and wellbeing: Examining longitudinal relationships | Erika de Regina Chambriard, Deakin University | The relationship between job stressors and mental ill health has been studied extensively. Much is known about the association of job stressors predicting poor mental health. However, the relationship between job stressors and wellbeing has not been given much attention until recent years. Two cross-sectional studies focused on the subject have been developed in the world during the last couple of years. Such studies, however, do not provide strong causal inference when considering their methodology. Therefore, a more robust analysis methodology, such as a prospective study, to further investigate this newly found association is required. |
Promoting healthier masculinities in the Macedon Ranges | Associate Professor Simon Rice, Orygen | In light of rising rates of male suicide, domestic and family violence, and substance abuse in the Macedon Ranges Shire Council (MRSC) region, the young men's mental health research team at Orygen have been commissioned by North Western Melbourne PHN to investigate the extent to which masculine socialisation factors underpin these issues for local men and boys. This project will draw comparisons on masculinity, depression and anxiety data (Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory; PHQ-9; GAD-7) between the MRSC sample and a representative Ten to Men Sample. |
Sexual assault - In Focus | Amy Duong, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare | This project brings together the latest available data from a range of sources to report on sexual assault. This report will provide a summary of data on sexual assaults in Australia in a format which is easy to read, and includes a range of infographics. The report will include information on the definition and prevalence of sexual assault; characteristics of victims and perpetrators of sexual assault; involvement of police and the judicial system; and physical and emotional impacts of being a victim of sexual assault. Attempts of sexual assault and sexual threat (i.e. sexual violence other than sexual assault) are out of scope. |
The National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program Overarching Evaluation (CHYME): Integrated Data Analysis | Professor Simon Smith, Institute for Social Science Research, the University of Queensland | The promotion of mental health during the early years is critical factor that lays the foundation for mental wellbeing throughout adulthood. A key strategy for doing so is to engage with community representatives with direct experience and engagement with children and young people, such as the education and health workforces. The Commonwealth Government's National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program seeks to build a more efficient, integrated, and sustainable mental health system and promote improved targeting of effort, and resources in this area for these workforces. This project's program evaluation will provide critical data to improve program services. |
The Predictors of Flourishing and Floundering in Emerging Australian Adults | Dr George Van Doom, Federation University | Emerging adults are an under-researched group in Australia. This stage of the lifespan is associated with peak physical health, and being in the "prime" of one's life. However, it is also associated with greater prevalence in a number of health-risk behaviours. As such, there is a need to explore which factors are related to involvement in health-promoting and health-risk behaviour during this phase of the lifespan. The results of this study will help us better understand the factors that contribute to positively navigating this period of the lifespan, and respond to those struggling. |
The Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence in Australian Men | Dr Peter Gill, Victoria University | Australian men are overrepresented as perpetrators of intimate partner violence. This study aims to better understand the underlying risk factors for being a perpetrator or victim of intimate partner violence. The results will help us better understand, prevent, and respond to intimate partner violence in Australian male populations. By identifying these factors we are better able to support men in forming and maintaining healthy relationships, which is vital for health and wellbeing. |
Project name | Lead investigator | About |
---|---|---|
Associations between obesity risk factors, depression and anxiety in Australian boys and young men | Vergil Dolar, The University of Melbourne | Depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among Australian adolescents and is often found co-occurring with obesity. Adolescent depressive symptomatology is more likely to persist and carry on into adulthood as clinical depression. Studies suggest that a bi- directional relationship exists between obesity and depression and, therefore, preventing the onset of one may reduce the risk of the other. This project will explore the association between risk factors for being overweight or obese and depression and anxiety among adolescent Australian males. |
Disability and masculinity | Professor Anne Kavanagh, The University of Melbourne | Disability affects the process of gendering in many ways, including the time of gender socialization, and gendered role expectations. This project will examine the ways in which a males' conformity to traditional norms of masculinity varies by the presence of a disability. In particular, to assess specific aspects of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI) and severity of disability. We will assess whether masculinity is linked to health and wellbeing according disability status. |
Disability and suicide | Dr Allison Milner, The University of Melbourne | Disability is highly prevalent in Australian society, with an estimated four million people in the country reporting restrictions in mental, sensory or mobility functions. There is good understanding of some of the social and economic consequences associated with the presence of a disability, which appear to worsen after disability acquisition. Research has also shown a decline in mental health following the acquisition of a disability. However, there is a lack of research on the relationship between disability and suicidality. In particular, whether those persons who indicate they have a disability also report a Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health 2.0 Data access and usage: Approved projects 2018 2 higher likelihood of thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts. This study seeks to unpack the relationship between the presence of a disability (including by type of disability) and suicidality using the first two waves of the Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health. This information can be used to formulate prevention strategies and inform policy in the area of suicide prevention. |
Examining correlates of co-morbid mental health and other non- communicable diseases | Dr Gregory Armstrong, The University of Melbourne | Mental health is frequently comorbid with other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a reciprocal relationship that often results in a further exacerbation of adverse health outcomes. This study is to examine the prevalence, behavioural risk factors, socio- demographic correlates and the impacts of this comorbidity on the risk of acquiring other NCDs among Australian males. |
Experiences of intimate partner violence among Australian men with and without disability | Professor Anne Kavanagh, The University of Melbourne | Previous research has demonstrated that men and women with disabilities are more likely to experience inter-personal violence than their same sex non-disabled peers. Most research in the field has focused on violence in institutional settings and with much less research on intimate partner violence. Using data from Ten to Men we will assess whether being a victim or perpetrator of intimate partner violence varies between men with and without disability. This information is critical for the development of violence prevention strategies and will inform the provision of primary health care and domestic violence services. |
Exploring the relationship between masculinity, social support, and self-reported mental wellbeing | Marissa Shields, The University of Melbourne | The aim of this study is to investigate associations between masculine norms, social support, and men's self-reported mental wellbeing. Previous research has shown that certain aspects of masculinity are negatively associated with mental wellbeing, although fewer studies have taken measures of social support into account. Little research of this kind has been done in Australia and research internationally has not had access to a large population cohort. As such, this study will take into account a variety of relevant effect modifiers to investigate how conformity to masculine norms, social support, and mental wellbeing are associated among different groups of Australian men. This research addresses a gap in currently available knowledge and will provide a basis for future research on the temporal sequence of any observed associations. |
Exploring the relationship between physical activity and depression in Australian men | Remy Lindner, The University of Melbourne | Public health policy and promotion need to address the high and growing prevalence and burden of disease mental illness presents. Physical activity is viewed as a low cost, low risk intervention that has established protective effects against depression. Current physical activity guidelines have demonstrated efficacy in increasing general health and preventing common burdens of disease. This research will explore the relationship physical activity and depression and specifically how dose and intensity of physical activity relate to depression. |
Health and wellbeing of 10 to 17 year-old boys: Findings from Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health | Dr Angela Nicholas, The University of Melbourne | Poor health habits can develop in childhood and persist into adulthood, increasing risk for both childhood and adult physical and mental health conditions. In order to develop the most effective interventions for promoting better health habits among young males in Australia, it is essential to first understand the health profile of this group. This study aims to establish the occurrence of poor health behaviours, and mental and physical health conditions among the young members (participants ages 10-17 years) of the Ten to Men cohort. It will also examine whether health behaviours occur in clusters, and the relationship between co-occurrence on risk for poorer health outcomes. |
The health of males in male dominated, female dominated, and gender neutral occupations | Dr Allison Milner, The University of Melbourne | This project seeks to examine gender norms in male dominated, female dominated, and gender neutral occupations and assess whether these are associated with mental health and suicidality among men. |
Health status of African Australians | Dr Gregory Armstrong, The University of Melbourne | Understanding the patterns of health and social behaviours among African Australians is important to design and implement culturally appropriate prevention interventions. Despite the existence of some small-scale studies that assessed specific risk factors among African- born Australians, there is limited evidence health and social risk behaviours of African Australians. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence and correlates of health and social risks among African-born Australian men. |
Indigenous suicide | Dr Gregory Armstrong, The University of Melbourne | The suicide rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is estimated to be 23.0 per 100,000, which is twice the rate for non-Indigenous Australians. The issue is particularly pronounced among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, with a suicide death rate of 52.5 per 100,000 among those aged 15-24, which is approximately four times the rate of their non-Indigenous counterparts. Given this, funding in the area of Indigenous youth suicide prevention has recently been dramatically increased. The Ten to Men cohort contains a sub- sample of 432 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander men from urban and regional Australia. This study will examine the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in urban and regional Australia, and see how it compares to their non-Indigenous counterparts. It will also examine how the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts trends across age groups among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, and how this trend compares to that of their non-Indigenous counterparts. |
Interactions between individual and regional determinants of health | Dr Ryan Perry, The University of Melbourne | Is inequality is bad for your health? Extant evidence suggests the link is variable, at least compared with absolute poverty. One explanation for this variability is that inequality should affect people differently depending on their individual circumstances. This research will explore the relationship between regional levels of inequality and individual self-reported health and wellbeing. Moreover, the study will examine how these relationships are affected (i.e., moderated) by individuals' (a) economic status and (b) endorsement of masculine norms. It is expected that inequality will negatively impact health the most for low socio- economic individuals and for those who endorse masculine norms. |
Lifestyle behaviours and CVD related disease in men | Dr Lee Ashton, University of Newcastle | Cross-sectional associations of multiple lifestyle behaviours (including Smoking, Drug use, Alcohol, BMI greater than or equal to 25kg/m2, poor diet, physical inactivity, poor sleep and stress) and risk of Cardiovascular related disease in men. |
Masculinity and depression: Conformity to masculine norms across age groups | Dr Simon Rice, Centre for Youth Mental Health | Conformity to masculine norms has been associated with poorer physical and mental health outcomes amongst men. It remains unclear how, if at all, lifespan developmental differences influence adherence to masculine norms, and whether experiences of low mood are implicated. A lack of representative data limits existing studies. This study will use Wave 1 TTM data to explore group differences in self-reported masculinity and depression, according to age. Potential age effects will be examined according to adolescent males (15-17 years), emerging adult males (18- 25 years), young adult males (26-35 years) and older adult males (36-55 years). |
Masculinity and help-seeking in men | Dr Marisa Schlichthorst, The University of Melbourne | We will explore men's health services use and attitudes to health services and help-seeking through a program of research papers. We will investigate help-seeking behaviours in association with masculinity as well as other socio-demographic factors and explore differences by age, SES and region. We will further explore characteristics of differences between men who engage with health services compared to those who don't. Of added interest is the relationship of traditional forms of masculinity, mental health and help-seeking in men. |
Masculinity ideals for different generations of vulnerable male consumers of health services | Jacquie McGraw, Queensland University of Technology | What does it mean to be "a man" for young men who avoid using health services? We will investigate the different dominant masculine ideals of men in the Ten to Men study aged 15 to 49 years who do not regularly access health services (identified in our study as 'vulnerable male consumers'). Through latent profile analysis, we will identify different groups of younger men who share masculine ideals, social generation and negative health beliefs and behaviours. Through regression analysis we will assess whether social generation has a mediating effect on the relationship between traditional masculine ideals and negative health behaviours. |
Men: Roots and consequences of masculinity norms | Dr Victoria Baranov, The University of Melbourne | Recent research has uncovered the historical roots of gender norms about women and the persistent effect of such norms on economic development. We find similar long-term effects of masculinity norms: beliefs about the proper conduct of men. We exploit a natural historical experiment in which convict transportation in the 18th and 19th century created a variegated spatial pattern of sex ratios across Australia. We show that in areas that were heavily male- biased in the past (though not the present) more Australians recently voted against same-sex marriage, an institution at odds with traditional masculinity norms. Survey data show that this voting pattern is mostly driven by men. Further evidence indicates that these historically male-biased areas also remain characterized by more violence, excessive alcohol consumption and occupational gender segregation. We interpret these behaviours as manifestations of masculinity norms that emerged due to intense local male-male competition that persisted over time. |
Men's healthy aging | Professor Mike Reid, RMIT University | There is increasing recognition that middle age is significantly underrepresented in health promotion and polices designed to improve the health of Australian men. Middle age is a pivotal period in one's life course in terms of finding a new or renewed purpose in life, addressing the excesses of youth and early adulthood, and setting up behavioural patterns that influence positive and healthy aging. This project examines relationships between middle aged men's personal characteristics, lifestyle characteristics, social environment, health and well-being. Social marketing implications are subsequently developed. |
Multilevel regression and poststratification for addressing participant bias in health survey data | Marnie Downes, The University of Melbourne | Large-scale surveys in population health are increasingly hampered by the difficulty of recruiting representative samples of participants, making the interpretation of findings difficult, especially with respect to prevalence and incidence of health conditions. For example, the nationwide Ten to Men study has recently recruited a cohort of 15,000 boys and men, aged 10-55 years, to be followed up over time, but participation was obtained for only 33% of those approached. New methods for generating accurate estimates of public opinion based on highly non-representative surveys have been developed recently in political science, using multilevel regression models and poststratification. This project will apply and evaluate these methods for the purpose of obtaining accurate population estimates in health surveys. |
Prevalence and associations of complementary medicine use among Australian Men | Dr Romy Lauche, University of Technology Sydney | Complementary medicine, a wide range of non-conventional therapies including acupuncture, naturopathy or herbal medicine, is widely used in Australia and worldwide. While previous research has examined who, why, and for what conditions women use complementary medicine, literally nothing is known about the men's perspective on complementary medicine. This project aims to examine how many men currently use complementary medicine; how men's characteristics such as age and education, and how health status and medical conditions influence the use of complementary medicine. |
Prevalence and correlates of discrimination among Australian adult males | Dr Gregory Armstrong, The University of Melbourne | Discrimination is a human rights issue that describes a range of behaviours and practices whereby socially defined groups are treated differently because of their membership of that group, based on traits such as ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability. It exists on a continuum, from violence or illegal actions to subtle forms of social exclusion and is widely understood as a contributing factor to health and socioeconomic inequities. This research will use data collected for the Ten to Men cohort study to examine the prevalence and correlates of experiencing self-perceived discrimination in the preceding two years among Australian adult males aged 18 to 55 years. The research will also examine whether discrimination mediates the pathway between minority status and health outcomes like suicidal ideation. The findings will contribute to our understanding of the prevalence and impact of discrimination experiences across a range of minority groups, including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse migrant groups, men who have sex with men, people who use substances, and people with disabilities and mental disorder diagnoses. |
Psychosocial working conditions, occupation and suicidality among Australia men: evidence from the Ten to Men cohort study | Dr Allison Milner, The University of Melbourne | Adverse psychosocial factors in the workplace such as low control over work, lack of support from supervisors and colleagues, and high demands are risk factors for mental illness and psychological distress. There has also been some overseas research suggesting that these factors may also pose a risk for suicide. However, there has been no investigation into the relationship between psychosocial job stressors, occupation, and suicidality in Australia. Using data from waves 1 and 3 of Ten to Men, we seek provide insight into the psychosocial working conditions and occupation of Australian men in relation to suicide ideation and attempts. This information can be used to formulate research studies in this area and contribute to the development of suicide prevention initiatives. |
Psychosocial working conditions, occupation and suicidality among Australia men: evidence from the Ten to Men cohort study | Dr Allison Milner, The University of Melbourne | Adverse psychosocial factors in the workplace such as low control over work, lack of support from supervisors and colleagues, and high demands are risk factors for mental illness and psychological distress. There has also been some overseas research suggesting that these factors may also pose a risk for suicide. However, there has been no investigation into the relationship between psychosocial job stressors, occupation, and suicidality in Australia. Using data from the baseline wave of Ten to Men, we seek provide insight into the psychosocial working conditions and occupation of Australian men in relation to suicide ideation and attempts. This information can be used to formulate research studies in this area and contribute to the development of suicide prevention initiatives. |
The relationship between conforming to traditional masculine norms and informal help seeking behaviour in men with depression | Bronwyn Wolfaardt, The University of Melbourne | Depression is a common mood disorder that seriously impacts on one's quality of life. Effective treatments are available for depression however men are less likely to seek treatment than women. Conforming to traditional masculine norms has been identified as an important barrier preventing men from seeking help for depression. Informal help seeking, described as seeking help from family and friends, can be beneficial as it can aid in bridging the gap between the recognition of depression and accessing treatment. This study aims to investigate the role of traditional masculine norms in the help seeking behaviours of men with depression. |
Sexual identity, attraction and behavior and Australia men's health outcomes | Dr Francisco Perales, The University of Queensland | There are well documented health disparities between heterosexual and sexual-minority men. However, significant inconsistencies across studies in how sexual orientation is measured (identity, attraction or behavior) mean that their results are often not comparable. This project will leverage Ten to Men data to determine the prevalence of sexual-minority status amongst Australian men, and how it varies across measures of sexual orientation; establish the degree of overlap in sexual-minority status measures based on identity, attraction and behavior; and examine how associations between sexual-minority status and health outcomes differ depending on the measure of sexual orientation considered. |
The sexual lives of Australian men with disabilities | Professor Anne Kavanagh, The University of Melbourne | It is commonly assumed that people with disability are less sexually active than their non- disabled peers. With the exception of specific disabilities such as spinal cord injury, sexual function should not Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health 2.0 Data access and usage: Approved projects 2018 7 be affected by disability. Furthermore, very little is known about sexual orientation, behaviours, pleasure and function of men with disability and whether this differs from men without disability or varies according to type of disability. This information is important for informing the provision of health services for men with disability. |
Suicidality and engagement in risky behaviours that carry health and social risks | Dr Gregory Armstrong, The University of Melbourne | The aim of this study is to examine whether suicidal thoughts and attempts co-occur with other health and social risk behaviours. The primary focus of suicide research is justifiably on the prevention of suicide, nevertheless, the majority of people who experience suicidal thoughts do not attempt suicide. There is a small but growing body of international research examining the co-occurrence of suicidality and engagement in risk behaviours that carry important long-term health and social consequences. This topic has been underexplored in Australia and has important practical implications for holistic psychosocial screening at the time of suicide risk assessment. |
Understanding dynamics and health effects of intimate partner violence in men | Professor Kelsey Hegarty, The University of Melbourne | We will explore the characteristics of men who report domestic violence, either perpetration and/or victimization, including associations with measures of masculinity and other social determinants of health, mental and physical health issues and behaviours and health service use. Understanding the profile of men with experience of domestic violence will guide subsequent research and inform the design of interventions for men and their families that will help address this problem. |
Understanding mental health, service-use and rurality in Australian men with a disability | Nicholas Fava, The University of Melbourne | This study will examine the intersection of mental health, service use and rurality in men with a disability. There is a need to understand whether rurality correlates to different mental health outcomes and history of service use for men with a disability, as previous studies suggest that there may be an unmet demand for services in rural areas. As men with a disability are at higher risk of mental ill-health, research is needed to inform resource allocation by the Primary Health Networks and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. |
Urban livability and health in Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health | Professor Billie Giles-Corti, RMIT University | In 2013/14 ~16,000 males were recruited into Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health. Professor Giles-Corti's team are using these data to examine the association between urban liveability and health and health behaviour outcomes, to develop policy and practice-relevant evidence and develop an advanced planning support system for designing healthy cities. |
Using longitudinal masculinity profiles to enrich men's suicide prediction: An epidemiological approach | Associate Professor Matthew Genuchi, Boise State University | Men are diagnosed with depression less frequently than women yet die from suicide at notably higher rates. Men's high suicide rates are influenced by a range of factors, and depression is a substantial risk factor for suicide. However, men who conform strongly to traditional masculine gender role norms are more likely than other men to present with atypical, externalizing depressive symptoms as well as standard symptoms. The aim of this study will be to longitudinally examine and compare how externalizing and typical depressive symptoms predict suicide based on men's conformity to traditional masculine gender role norms. |
What do boys and men say about their health and relationships in an open-ended survey question? | Dr Louise Keogh, The University of Melbourne | Participants in Ten to Men are invited to make a free text comment at the end of the survey, and over 1000 participants made a comment. The comments cover a range of issues from; comments on the survey; clarification of their responses to the survey; unrelated comments or diagrams; and comments about their health and relationships. This project will summarise the comments that relate either to concerns about their health, or concerns about their relationships. This summary will provide insight into the things that men or boys felt were worthy of reporting, but not captured in survey responses. It will also be possible to describe the demographic and other characteristics of those who commented on either of these topics. |