Establishing research priorities for investigating male suicide risk and recovery: A modified Delphi study with lived-experience experts.

Abstract

This study uses the Delphi expert consensus method to work with lived-experience experts and establish research priorities to advance our understanding of male suicide risk and recovery. Items for the Delphi were generated via findings from two recent quantitative and qualitative systematic reviews on male suicide, a comprehensive gray literature search, responses to a global survey on male suicide, and feedback from a panel of 10 international academic/clinical male suicide experts. A two-round Delphi study was conducted to gain consensus among 242 lived-experience experts representing 34 countries on 135 potential male suicide research questions. Panelists were asked to rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale from should not be included to essential. Consensus was defined as 80% of respondents scoring an item as "essential" or "important." After two Delphi rounds, consensus was reached on 87 items. The final questions were then grouped by the author team and expert academic/clinical panel into thematic clusters to create a 22-point agenda of research priorities. Like all methodologies, there are weaknesses to the Delphi method, not least that the experts employed in a Delphi study do not represent all experts on a topic. We note that many items that did not make it to the top of the research agenda related to minority experiences. All the questions prioritized in this agenda can be applied to different demographics. However, minority populations may require tailored Delphi's using expert panels drawn specifically from those groups. A final agenda of 22 research priorities was developed. Questions related to 10 thematic domains: (a) relationships with others, (b) relationship with self, (c) relationship with emotions, (d) mental health, (e) suicidal behaviors, (f) early-life experiences, (g) structural challenges, (h) cultural challenges, (i) at-risk groups, and ( j) support and recovery. The three highest endorsed items related to loneliness and isolation (98%), feelings of failure (97%), and sources of stress and emotional pain (96%) for men who are suicidal. This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.

Prevalence and associated risk factors for suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempt among male construction workers in Ireland

“…Although they were not significant in the multivariate models, this study highlights the need for future early intervention programmes to consider these associations and for future research to account for these variables in order to create more conclusive evidence for the risk factors of suicidality among male construction workers. This study responded to recent calls for a better understanding of the relationship between mental health conditions and male suicide risk [68]. This study found that depression and anxiety is associated with suicidal ideation, NSSI and suicide attempts among male construction workers.…”

A systematic review and narrative synthesis exploring the relationship between friendships and peer relationships, and self-harm ideation and behaviour among young people

“…Findings suggest females are more likely to be exposed to and influenced by friends' self-harm ideation and behaviour, as well more likely to be supporters and to experience the negative outcomes associated with the role (e.g., 98,94,78 ).This potentially relates to same-sex friendships and self-harm (NSSI) being more numerically prevalent in this age/gender group 123 , as opposed to males which typically present higher rates of suicide 124 . However, recent evidence suggests that gender differences in rates of self-harm ideation and behaviour may be unreliable, especially since male suicidal attempts may be underreported 125 . This suggests that investigation of understudied genders such as males and gender minorities is now needed given evidence of a) different friendship dynamics 126 , b) particular trajectories of mental health struggles, c) specific barriers/challenges in accessing support 127 and d) important benefits from peer support 127 and tailored interventions 74 among these populations.…”

Men’s perspectives on the relationship between masculinities and suicidality: A thematic synthesis.

“…Relatedly, men who are lonely and/or socially isolated might be at higher risk due to lacking opportunities to benefit from protective support when experiencing suicidality-related distress (Subtheme 2.1). Loneliness and isolation, collectively, are key male suicide prevention research topic among lived experience experts (Bennett et al, 2024). Both experiences are strongly associated with suicidal ideation, cross-culturally, in men and women (Calati et al, 2019), whereas connectedness may have a buffering effect against suicidality (Arango et al, 2016).…”

“…One avenue for exploration is the role of masculinities, that is, individual and cultural meanings linked to men and boys (Wong & Wang, 2022). The influence of masculinities upon suicidal ideation and behaviors has been raised within psychological practice guidelines (American Psychological Association, 2018) and as a research priority by men with lived experience of suicide ideation, attempts, or bereavement (Bennett et al, 2024).…”