Men's experiences of middle-age: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Middle-age is distinctive in both the quantity of stressors experienced and their nature, so is an important area of study. This study used semi-structured e-mail interviews to investigate how a group of nine Caucasian, middle class, heterosexual men aged between 45 and 55 years made sense of ageing and middle age. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was employed. Analysis of the accounts indicated four superordinate themes: (1) feelings of being trapped in between post-industrial and contemporaneous gender ideals, (2) mind over body, and the disregard of the metrosexual body ideology, (3) fatherhood, being busy, and lost opportunities, (4) holistic and inward self-awareness. Future studies are needed to enable an understanding of middle-aged men's experiences of distress associated with ageing, and to investigate whether this is associated with the progress of long-term physical and mental conditions at midlife.

Fatherhood, gender and the making of professional identity in large law firms: bringing men into the frame

“…Age and gender can mediate the way assumptions about what constitutes an acceptable work–life balance plays out at moments across the individual life course. This further aligns with Vas et al ’s (2016) observation, in a study of men between forty-five and fifty-five years old, on how middle age is distinctive in both the number of stressors experienced and their nature – with a central theme for men in the study being precisely a feeling of being trapped between different (traditional/contemporaneous) gender ideals and, with regard to fatherhood and work, a frequent sense of lost opportunities as men get older (see also Jackson, 2016).…”

Recommendations for male-friendly individual counseling with men: A qualitative systematic literature review for the period 1995–2016.

“…The complimentary processes are about helping men develop and practice skills and knowledge that are different from their norms. The literature addressed areas that men are less known for, such as reflecting on their masculinity (Vas, Forshaw, & Grogan, 2016) and focusing on enhancing emotional awareness and expression. The reinforcing strategies are emphasized in the earlier stages of treatment for engagement and preparation, whereas the complimentary processes appear to be associated with the more change-oriented aspects of treatment.…”

Men’s reflections on their body image at different life stages: A thematic analysis of interview accounts from middle-aged men

“…Furthermore, the study also addresses the paucity of research on body image in men over the age of 30 years (Slevin and Linneman, 2010;Vas et al, 2016).…”

“…This study offers a unique alternative to cross-sectional studies as it focuses on middle-aged men who reflect on their body image at different ages, reducing the impact of generational differences. Furthermore, the study also addresses the paucity of research on body image in men over the age of 30 years (Slevin and Linneman, 2010;Vas et al, 2016). management, etc.).…”