Health as a movement between suffering of life and meaning in life for men who have experienced transitions in life

Abstract

Background and AimPrevious studies show that life transitions can have negative effects on men's lives and lead to health problems and meaninglessness in life. This study aims to deepen the understanding of men's health by exploring the movement between suffering of life and meaning in life when experienced life transitions.Theoretical FrameworkThe study is anchored in Eriksson's caritative caring theory. Core concepts are health and the movement between suffering of life and meaning in life.Methodology and MethodsThe methodology is hermeneutical, and the study has a qualitative research design. Fifteen men from Norway participated in in‐depth interviews in 2021. The interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes emerged in relation to the suffering of life; enduring separation from community, shame at being useless as a human being, grief over what has been lost in life, and being powerless and vulnerable in the face of a hopeless struggle. Three themes emerged in relation to meaning in life; realising what is most important in one's life gives strength, decision to live one's life brings joy in life and a positive attitude towards life gives freedom and awakens a new spark for life.ConclusionSuffering of life emerges as a separation from relationships and society and as a perceived uselessness as a human being losing faith, control and feeling like a burden erodes dignity and trigger feelings of shame, guilt and degradation. Suffering of life manifests as loss of drive and spark for life. Life has meaning through finding the good in oneself, coming to know and believe in oneself and seeing new possibilities which bring about a spark for life, gratitude, dignity and freedom. Health exists in the movement between suffering of life and meaning in life, in pausing, recognising vulnerability, prioritising and reorienting oneself.

Components of spirituality in older adults: A phenomenological study through interviews based on dignity therapy

“…In addition, men tend to seek less support and information compared with women [39]. Shame and guilt are forms of suffering that undermine human dignity and raise deep questions about the meaning of life [40]. This suggests the need for healthcare professionals to understand that older adults have an unspoken spirituality.…”

For the good of the children—Life and ethical values when undergoing paternal alienation and involuntary loss of paternity

“…This study is part of a larger caring science project on men's life and health, named A Life Worth Living [1]. The project's research interest lies in men's lives and health when undergoing upheaval, life changes and losses in life.…”

“…The argument to study parental alienation from the father's viewpoint lies in further research that highlights that separation from children and loss of paternity can be insufferable life transitions independent of parenthood, and that relationship sabotage and parental alienation are not gender-specific, but most often directed at fathers [2]. Research shows [1,3] that fathers are simplistically seen as a homogenous group and often perceived as a risk for the children and thus removed in cooperation with the mother who must be protected against this risk. After a divorce where the fathers are separated from their children, they often experience being ostracised, discriminated against and marginalised, which affects their mental health and well-being.…”

“…Feeling maltreated by the alienating parent also arouses feelings of frustration, anger and fear. Men express grief that life did not turn out as they had imagined, shame at being useless, experiences of being an outcast, innocently judged and stigmatised by society [1].…”