Protocol for a Systematic Review of Psychosocial Factors That Predict Mental Health Among Males Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Psychosocial factors such as diabetes distress, depression, anxiety, social support, stigma, coping styles, and quality of life play a critical role in shaping mental health outcomes among males living with type 2 diabetes. Despite their importance, systematic evidence on how these factors influence mental health remains limited. Objective: This protocol aims to synthesize existing evidence on psychosocial factors associated with mental health outcomes among males living with type 2 diabetes. Eligibility Criteria: Studies will be included if they focus on males aged 18 years and above diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and examine psychosocial factors in relation to mental health outcomes. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs will be considered. Exclusion criteria include studies focused on females, males under 18, or those with type 1 diabetes; studies exclusively evaluating interventions (e.g., CBT trials, self-management programs); non-English publications; and studies published before 2015. Confounders such as co-morbidities and lifestyle factors will be included if reported alongside psychosocial exposures, but studies focusing solely on these without mental health outcomes will be excluded. Information Sources: The search strategy will be guided by the PICO framework, and such searches will be conducted in Scopus, MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, and Web of Science using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) for articles published in English between January 2016 and December 2026. Risk of Bias: Two independent reviewers will screen studies, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Risk of bias will be assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Data Synthesis: Eligible studies will undergo narrative thematic synthesis. Confidence in findings will be evaluated using the JBI ConQual approach. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval is not required. This protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD420261299482). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Conclusion: This protocol outlines a transparent plan to review psychosocial factors influencing mental health in men with type 2 diabetes, guiding gender-sensitive strategies that integrate mental health into diabetes care.