Följsam eller utmanande : en kvalitativ studie om professionella behandlares arbete med psykisk ohälsa hos män och maskulinitet

• Main Authors: Asklund Nilsson, Sebastian, Carlsson, Gustav
• Format: Others
• Language: Swedish
• Published: Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för socialt arbete (SA) 2020
• Subjects: Mental illness; Masculinity; Stigma; Mental health services; Help-seeking; Hegemonic masculinity; Social Work; Socialt arbete
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-96238

Men are more likely than women to commit suicide and more reluctant to seek professional help when experiencing any type of mental illness. By interviewing six professionals, working as clinical psychologists or counsellors this study aimed to examine their experiences and attitudes concerning masculinity and mental illness among men. The material was examined through a thematic analysis which resulted in four different themes, each responding to the aim of the study from different angles. All participants strive not to differentiate between clients depending on their sex, yet it is widely held that masculine norms restrain men from seeking help from our current health services. This derives from the notion that traditionally masculine virtues such as stoicism and resilience are not compatible with vulnerability which is commonly associated with mental health services. Thus, there is a widespread attitude that traditional masculine norms should be challenged as a means to support men’s mental health. This study suggests that an excessive challenging approach legitimates the current constitution of mental health services which could restrain health services and other decision-makers responsiveness of men’s preferences and needs. To address the problem of mental illness and high rates of suicide among men, the challenging approach needs to be accompanied with compliance and adjustment after the needs and preferences of men.