Conceptualising the experience of depression in men

• Main Author: Donohue, John
• Published: University of Warwick 2007
• Subjects: 616.85
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.487645

Previous epidemiological research asserts that men are twice to four times more likely to commit suicide than women yet present with associated psychological distress far less often than women; Researchers have suggested that negative attitudes to help seeking and socialised negative gender roles that give rise to conflict are instrumental in this phenomenon. Additional studies speculate that depression for men may·present I differently to women and may constitute a different condition - depression male type. The first chapter of this thesis provides a review of the findings of current research into the contribution of gender role conflict and psychological distress experienced by men. The review identifies two main areas of concentration: the contribution of gender role I conflict in dominant culture male populations and secondly in ethnic minority male populations. Analysis of these studies identifies inconsistencies and limitations with how the construct is measured. Additional research is identified which may further the understanding of male gender role conflict. Chapter II reports on an investigation which used Grounded Theory to explore depression as experienced by men. The study found that negative socialised norms, namely necessity to appear competent and inhibited emotional expression contributed to these men's experience of depression. It emerged that these influences permeated all factors associated with depression onset. The third chapter gives an account of the main researcher's reflections on conducting the interviews and on the outcomes of the research. Specific attention is given to how position and power influence this process and how the understanding of depression is generated.