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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Kate SwainstonORCiD
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Barriers, facilitators and benefits associated with male mental health help-seeking are poorly understood in the context of men’s gendered experiences. The present study utilised purposive sampling to recruit seven British adult males diagnosed with a mental health condition to explore their lived experiences of help-seeking. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed three themes: ‘denial as preservation’, ‘reframing masculine identity’, and ‘normalisation and empowerment’. While denial was found to act as a barrier to help-seeking, reframing masculine identity to incorporate help-seeking as a valued masculine enactment was a facilitator. Normalisation of mental ill health was important in developing a sense of belonging and connectedness with others and the development of a sense of purpose through an exchange of being supportive and supported were perceived benefits of help-seeking. Understanding the construction and negotiation processes of distress and vulnerability connected to gender are crucial to understanding men’s help-seeking for mental health conditions.
Author(s): Erdem H, Wilson G, Limbrick H, Swainston K
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Psychological Society North of England Bulletin
Year: 2020
Issue: 1
Acceptance date: 29/11/2019
Publisher: British Psychological Society
URL: https://shop.bps.org.uk/the-north-of-england-bulletin-issue-1-spring-2020
