Addressing Depression From the Perspective of Cisgender Males: Mixed-Methods Insights on PHQ-9 Comfort Through the Health Belief Model and Gender Role Theory.

Cisgender males remain less likely to report depressive symptoms or initiate mental health conversations with primary care providers. Guided by the Health Belief Model and Gender Role Theory, this study examined how cisgender males perceive and address depression, with a focus on their comfort with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and factors influencing their willingness to discuss mental health concerns. An anonymous mixed-methods survey link was disseminated to 62 cisgender males between November 2024 and January 2025. Quantitative items assessed preferences for mental health discussions, willingness to initiate conversations, and experiences with the PHQ-9. Qualitative responses were analyzed to identify perceived barriers, attitudes toward screening, and beliefs shaped by masculine role norms and health-belief constructs. Most participants (n = 48, 77.42%) preferred in-person mental health discussions with primary care providers. Half (n = 31, 50%) had previously received a mental health screener. Despite this, a large majority (n = 54, 87.10%) reported comfort completing screeners such as the PHQ-9 independently. However, n = 14 (22.58%) were unlikely to initiate mental health conversations. Qualitative findings revealed 3 dominant themes stigma, fear, and trust, that shaped comfort with screening and willingness to disclose symptoms. The HBM highlighted perceived barriers and low perceived susceptibility, while GRT contextualized how masculine norms discouraged disclosure. Cisgender males show readiness to engage with depression screeners when tools are accessible, yet stigma, fear, and trust remain central influences on disclosure. Integrating the PHQ-9 into routine primary care with deliberate conversations and strengthening patient-provider trust may enhance early identification of depression.