Citation

O'Donnell S. International Journal of Men's Social and Community Health 2020; 3(2): e32-e45.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020)

DOI

10.22374/ijmsch.v3i2.32

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In high incomes countries, the male suicide rate is three and a half times higher than the female rate1 yet females have higher rates of suicide attempts and suicide ideation.2,3 This 'gender-paradox' in suicide4 reflects particular social norms, expectations, and behaviours attached to the sexes.5 To better understand the interconnectivities between masculinity and suicide, a large body of evidence has drawn on Connell's social constructionist theory of masculinities.6-12 Central to this theory is that patriarchal power and adherence to dominant or hegemonic masculine ideologies influence men's health practices and illness experiences. Hegemonic masculinity retains its idealized status through cultural beliefs that are embedded in a 'masculine standard' which is often represented by white, middle-class, middle-aged, heterosexual men and characterized by a desire for power, control, aggression, courage, self-reliance, rationality, competitiveness, efficiency, and success whilst simultaneously concealing vulnerability and weakness.5,8,13,14 Applying Connell's frame to suicide risk factors, men's use of more lethal methods are theorized to reflect a hypermasculinity of sorts - where lethality is associated with mastery and where survival is less acceptable.13 Unemployment and financial insecurity can disrupt men's sense of identity, role, and status due to the centrality of the provider role in the construction of the masculine self.13,15,16 Men can also be reticent about seeking support for emotional problems in a bid to remain stoic and self-reliant, which can lead to suicidal ideation.14,17,18. © O'Donnell and Richardson.

Language: en