The Portrayal of Depression in Magazines Designed for Men (2000-2007)

Abstract

This paper offers an investigation of the portrayal of depression in magazines whose audience is primarily North American males of young middle ages ranging between medians of 37 and 42.5. It is based on a content analysis of articles indexed under the topic of depression from 2000-2007 in Esquire, Men’s Health and Sports Illustrated magazines. Findings suggest that depression in men’s magazines is encapsulated in stereotypical male discourses of success at work, ignorance of feelings, and reluctance to seek help. Violence is another, although less prevalent theme. Depression is described as largely as having biochemical and/or genetic cause. A few articles mention the possible effects of the socio-economic and gendered experiences of maleness or masculinity. The possible theoretical explanations of this portrayal are discussed.