Evaluation of a Male-specific Psychotherapeutic Program for Major Depressive Disorders

Background: Although women are twice as likely to suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD) than men, there are still over 100 million men affected by this condition worldwide. Unfortunately, men suffering from MDD seek mental health services about 30% less than women, leaving a large portion of men with unresolved mental health needs. This is reflected in 2-fold higher rates of alcohol use disorder and 4-fold higher rates of completed suicide amongst men, while MDD is considered a prime risk factor for both. A case is made for male-typical MDD phenotypes with differing symptom presentation often unrecognized by clinicians. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) represents an effective treatment for MDD, conformity to traditional masculinity norms based on stoicism, self-reliance, and restrictive emotionality often hinder men from engaging in psychotherapy. Therefore, a need to address this diagnostic and treatment gap emerges, while recent studies have identified a lack of male-specific psychotherapeutic programs (MSPP) that could persuade more men to take on psychotherapy based on a male-tailored nature, focusing on male-specific topics and being introduced in male-typical environments.

Method and study procedures: In total, 144 depressed men aged between 25 and 50 will be recruited. After Screening procedures, included participants are stratified by testosterone status (hypogoadal vs. eugonadal) and randomized to one of the conditions: MSPP, CBT, Waitlist. This results in six intervention groups (MSPP, CBT, Waitlist, MSPP+TT, CBT+TT, Waitlist+TT). Hypogonadal men will receive testosterone treatment administered at the Andrology-Urology Center (Uroviva). MSPP and CBT intervention groups will receive weekly therapy sessions for MDD over 18 weeks. All participants will be invited to a total of five examination appointments (weeks 0, 6, 15, 24, 36) at the psychological institute of the university of Zurich. In addition, a separate healthy control group will be examined, which will undergo only baseline assessments.

Expected results: Compared to the waitlist control groups, the treatment groups are expected to be more effective and efficacious (depression score reduction of ≥50%) at week 24 and at follow-up week 36. The MSPP, compared to CBT, is expected to show higher effectiveness and efficacy for depression symptoms, higher acceptability and a greater reduction of gender role conflict. In addition, it is expected that the initially hypogonadal men will have increased symptom improvement due to TT as compared to the eugonadal men in the parallel groups and that TT receiving men show an adjunct effect of added psychotherapy as compared to men in the waitlist.

Inclusion criteria

• Male sex
• Age between 25 - 50 years
• German speaking
• Current major depression (assessed by SCID-5)
• Informed consent as documented by signature

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to give informed consent
• Prior hormonal (testosterone) treatment
• Prior mental health disorder
• Current or previous psychopharmacological treatment
• Current or previous psychological treatment for any psychological disorder

• Exception for persistent depressive disorder (Dysthymia) and alcohol/substance use disorder of mild degree (SCID-5, 1 - 3 criteria met)
• Comorbidities of major depression with any other psychological disorder
• Severe physical disorder that requires priority treatment
• Any of the following physical conditions, particularly relevant in regard to testosterone treatment:

• Diagnosed prostate cancer
• Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)
• Severe lower urinary tract symptoms
• Erythrocytosis Sleep apnea, diagnosed but untreated
• Current treatment with:

• Thyroid hormones
• Finasteride
• Antiepileptic drugs
• Anabolic compounds
• Hypnotic medication more than 2 nights/week for the treatment of insomnia
• Long-acting benzodiazepines
• Antipsychotic medication
• Drugs that affect serum testosterone
• Genetic / hormonal disorders:

• Klinefelter's syndrome
• Cushing's disease
• Addison's disease
• Hashimoto Thyroiditis