Aim: The primary aim was to quantify, relative to older men, young men's externalizing of depression symptoms and past-month suicidal ideation.
Methods: A non-probability national sample of 1000 Canadian men self-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms of depression and past-month suicidal ideation. Stratification quotas reflected Canadian census data to age and region.
Results: Young men (18-25 years) were at markedly higher risk of past-month suicidal ideation than were older men. When controlling for internalizing depression, a multivariate age × recent suicidal ideation interaction indicated higher externalizing of depression symptoms in young men relative to older men, especially for those reporting recent suicidal ideation (P < .001). Interactions were observed for drug use, anger and aggression, and risk-taking domains. A sizable proportion of younger men were uniquely identified by the MDRS-22.
Conclusions: Screening tools that include assessment of externalizing symptoms may assist in improving detection of distress and suicide risk in young men.
Keywords: depression; gender; masculinity; suicide; young men.
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.