“He’s More Typically Female Because He’s Not Afraid to Cry”: Connecting Heterosexual Gender Relations and Men’s Depression∗

摘要: Depression, a disorder often thought of as women's health issue, is underreported in men, and little known about how heterosexual couples respond when the male partner depressed. Within context men's depression, may be challenged to make life adjustments that impact their gender relations. The findings detailed this article are drawn from an innovative qualitative study 26 Canadian (26 men women partners) which man had formal diagnosis and/or self-identified Participants completed individual, semi structured interviews focused on exploring masculinities femininities intersect forge particular relations depression. A social constructionist analysis revealed three couple patterns: trading places, business usual, edgy tensions. Trading places refers who embodied some atypical masculine feminine roles compensate for depression-induced losses (e.g., homemakers breadwinners). Women partners these dyads broke with ideals they provided support by employing tough love strategies self-protection means prompting self-management Couples involved usual co-constructed alignment workman counter conceal depression induced-deficits. Also described were tensions, where mismatch expectations fueled resentment dysfunction threatened viability relationships. Overall, limits resilience care-giving evident, yet also reveal management was directly influenced partner. Opportunities assess relationship dynamics within broad range might couples' connectedness quality amid challenges accompany