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The Male Experience of Suicide Attempts and Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Cara Richardson

    (Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 0XH, UK)

  • Adele Dickson

    (Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences (CABS), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK)

  • Kathryn A. Robb

    (Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 0XH, UK)

  • Rory C. O’Connor

    (Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 0XH, UK)

Abstract

Suicidal behaviour is a complex phenomenon—its aetiology spans biological, psychological, environmental, social and cultural facets. Men’s deaths by suicide outnumber women in every country in the world. This study explored the male experience of suicide attempts and recovery as well as factors which may be protective for men. Men (n = 12) participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews which were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four master themes were identified: (1) “characteristics of attempt/volitional factors”, (2) “dealing with suicidal thoughts and negative emotions”, (3) “aftermath” and (4) “protective factors”. The theoretical and clinical implications of this study are discussed, including help seeking, emotional expression, the long-term impact of suicide attempt as well as the applied contribution to established theories.

Suggested Citation

  • Cara Richardson & Adele Dickson & Kathryn A. Robb & Rory C. O’Connor, 2021. "The Male Experience of Suicide Attempts and Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:10:p:5209-:d:554350
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cleary, Anne, 2012. "Suicidal action, emotional expression, and the performance of masculinities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(4), pages 498-505.
    2. Emslie, Carol & Ridge, Damien & Ziebland, Sue & Hunt, Kate, 2006. "Men's accounts of depression: Reconstructing or resisting hegemonic masculinity?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(9), pages 2246-2257, May.
    3. Shiner, Michael & Scourfield, Jonathan & Fincham, Ben & Langer, Susanne, 2009. "When things fall apart: Gender and suicide across the life-course," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 738-746, September.
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