The impact of masculinity norms on male suicide rates has been extensively studied, highlighting behaviors like restricted emotionality, avoidance of seeking help and self-reliance as potential risk factors. Traditional research often hinges on predetermined concepts of masculinity, neglecting individual interpretations. To bridge this gap, our study delves into personal definitions of masculinity among 281 men, contrasting views between those with and without suicidal ideation. Through content analysis of responses to the open-ended question "What does masculinity mean to you?", we discerned that men with suicidal thoughts more commonly often linked masculinity to the control of emotions, intelligence, and decision-making, while those without such thoughts more often mentioned family and caregiving roles.
Extending our inquiry to include femininity, we analyzed responses from 700 women to the analogous question "What does femininity mean to you?". This expansion aims not only to understand women's perspectives on femininity but also to investigate its potential association with suicide risk, mirroring the analysis conducted on masculinity. By examining both masculinity and femininity, our study offers a comprehensive view of gender roles' correlation with suicide risk, highlighting the importance of considering individual interpretations.