Why Might Men Be More at Risk of Suicide After a Relationship Breakdown? Sociological Insights

Scourfield, Jonathan; Evans, Rhiannon Emily

doi:10.1177/1557988314546395

Cited by 56 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Divorcees often experience a deterioration of health status and symptoms of mental disorders (Kitson & Morgan, 1990;Thuen, 2001). Researchers prove adverse health consequences, i.e., problems with physical, emotional, and social well-being in divorced men and women (Scourfield & Evans, 2014;Symoens et al, 2014;Zafar & Kausar, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological well-being of individuals after divorce: the role of social support

Kołodziej-Zaleska¹,

Przybyła-Basista²

2016

Current Issues in Personality Psychology

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Background Divorce is a transition period in which divorcing individuals face restructuring of the family system and adjustment to changes. The psychological well-being of divorcees can serve as an important indicator of the adjustment process. The achievement of well-being does not come easily for many reasons, one of which is the experience related to a sense of loss associated with the marriage break-up. Social support is a major relational resource for overcoming the crisis and successfully adjusting to post-divorce life. Participants and procedure The sample consisted of 157 individuals after divorce: 120 women and 37 men (mean age = 41.29). Instruments employed in the study included the Sense of Loss Scale (DS), the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ-23), and sociodemographic data. Results Our results show that perceived social support is a partial mediator of the relationship between the sense of loss associated with divorce and the psychological well-being of individuals after divorce. For the vast majority of the respondents their parents, friends and acquaintances were the major source of support. About one third of the participants were given support by their siblings and their own children. Conclusions The study confirms the mediating role of support in building well-being after experiencing loss related to dissolution of marriage. This means that for divorced women and men perceived social support is one of the key resources that have a significant impact on achieving psychological well-being after divorce, since it is related to mitigating the negative impact of the sense of loss associated with marriage break-up.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological well-being of individuals after divorce: the role of social support

Kołodziej-Zaleska¹,

Przybyła-Basista²

2016

Current Issues in Personality Psychology

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“…In contrast, men's suicide is contextualized by performance or pride, with the act often being a response to social or physical calamities (Canetto, 1992(Canetto, -1993). Yet contemporary gender theory might suggest that men are, in fact, at greater risk of suicide following relationship dissolution as it constitutes one of a number of major life catastrophes that severely challenge pride and performance (Scourfield, 2005;Cleary, 2012;Payne, Swami, & Stanistreet, 2008). Courtenay (2011) has been prominent in linking the culturally authorized "hegemonic masculinity" (Connell, 1995) to men's health, noting that practices associated with the "stronger sex" are linked with poorer health outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender, Relationship Breakdown, and Suicide Risk

Evans

Scourfield

Moore

2016

Journal of Family Issues

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An association between divorce and suicide risk has been noted in numerous studies, but the gender profile of this risk has not been clearly established. This article reviews the evidence on gender differentials in suicide risk following the breakdown of an intimate relationship (including divorce and separation). Nineteen published articles that included individuallevel data were identified. Twelve reported a greater risk of suicide in men following relationship breakdown, two indicated a greater risk in women, and a further five showed no clear gender differential. Although there are possible indications of increased risk for men, no definitive conclusion about gender differential can be drawn. Furthermore, research is required that directly compares men with women for suicide risk following relationship breakdown.

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“…Van Orden et al [27] pointed out that women in general value family and being loved higher than men and then in the absence of these “… suffer greater emotional pain than do men in the same situations”. This stands in contrast to Evans et al [8, 9], who underline men’s larger vulnerability under relationship breakups and suggest as explanations “… men’s role inflexibility, the increasing importance of the care of the children, men’s desire for control in relationships, and men’s social network” [9]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Most of these problems could be interpreted in line with men’s desire for control in relationships as a consequence of the traditional Norwegian masculinity norms as independence and self-sufficiency. The two oldest men stated that they had not wanted to be a burden to their wives, which could be interpreted as role inflexibility [9]. In 2017, Canetto, in her article “Suicide: Why are older men so vulnerable?” [30] convincingly showed that illness may lead men to suicide in a much higher degree than women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evans et al [8] and Scourfield & Evans [9] have, for instance, pointed out that men are challenged more by changing gender roles than are women. They also maintain that marriage may be a more positive experience for men than for women, that the care of children has become culturally more important and expected for men, and that men do not employ their social network for support when experiencing emotional difficulties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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To die or not to die: a qualitative study of men’s suicidality in Norway

Knizek

Hjelmeland

2018

BMC Psychiatry

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BackgroundPrevious research has shown that men who adhere to traditional beliefs about masculinity have increased health risks compared to those who do not. Single marital status, unemployment, retirement, and physical illness are commonly known risk factors for male suicidal behavior. Most men struggling with these risk factors are, however, not suicidal. To find out more about what makes some men vulnerable to suicidal behavior, risk factors must be analyzed in light of men’s life history as well as the social context where they live their masculinity.MethodWe conducted semi-structured qualitative in-depth interviews with 15 men (20–76 years old) who were admitted to hospital after a suicidal act. We analyzed the data by means of qualitative content analysis with a directed approach. The analysis was directed by the participants’ reports on whether they had wanted to die or not at the time of the suicidal act. On this basis, they were divided into two groups: a “to die” and a “not to die” group. We then analyzed each group separately before comparing them.ResultsIn both groups, the main reason or trigger for the suicidal act were problems in intimate relationships. These problems were complex and connected to the men’s lived masculinity, ranging from shame, or tainted masculine honor, to taking responsibility as a man for the wife. Some men pointed to pain and ennui as reasons or triggers for their suicidal act. Only one in the “not to die” group took full responsibility for the suicidal act, whereas all but one did the same in the “to die” group. The men not taking responsibility described the suicidal act as involuntary because of either alcohol or a kind of “black-out”. Not taking responsibility for the act may be a way of preserving masculine identity.ConclusionRelationship problems are the main reason or trigger of the suicidal act for most participants, but in very different ways, mirroring lived masculinity. The most striking finding is the uniqueness of each story, questioning the utility of standardized suicide prevention efforts.

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Why Might Men Be More at Risk of Suicide After a Relationship Breakdown? Sociological Insights

Cited by 56 publications

References 38 publications

Psychological well-being of individuals after divorce: the role of social support

Psychological well-being of individuals after divorce: the role of social support

Gender, Relationship Breakdown, and Suicide Risk

To die or not to die: a qualitative study of men’s suicidality in Norway

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