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CHILDHOOD CHALLENGES & MALE SUICIDE. Findings from a global survey
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Difficult experiences in childhood - such as sexual abuse or bullying - are known to increase the risk of suicide in later life. However, a lot of research on childhood adversity and suicide has been based on female-dominated samples.
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We don’t know enough about childhood challenges and suicide in men specifically.
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STUDY AIMS: In this study we aimed to: 1. Explore the link between different types of childhood challenges and suicide risk in men. 2. Explore which experiences were more strongly linked to suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
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We also need to better understand potential differences between men who think about suicide and men who attempt so we can improve prevention.
THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE
SUICIDE ATTEMPT
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We used 3 different measures to explore the following childhood challenges:
1
Sexual abuse
2 Female caregiver:
> abuse
Emotional abuse
> indifference
Emotional neglect
> over control
Physical abuse
Male caregiver:
Physical neglect
> abuse > indifference
1. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Bernstein et al., 1994) 2. The Measure of Parental Style (Parker et al., 1997) 3. Childhood Bullying (Scottish Government, 2017)
> over control
3 Bullying
ANALYSIS
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We wanted to explore which childhood experiences made men more likely to think about or attempt suicide. To do this, we compared childhood experiences across three groups:
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COMPARISON GROUPS 1
MEN WITH NO SUICIDAL HISTORY
v
MEN WITH THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE
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COMPARISON GROUPS 2
MEN WITH NO SUICIDAL HISTORY
v
MEN WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
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COMPARISON GROUPS 3
MEN WITH THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE
v
MEN WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
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We first looked at each childhood challenge on its own to see if it made a man more likely to be in one group than another. For example, in comparison group 1, we tested whether being bullied made it more likely that a man had suicidal thoughts rather than no suicidal history.
1
Bullying
MEN WITH NO SUICIDAL HISTORY
v
MEN WITH THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE
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Then, for all the challenges that increased suicide risk, we tested them together to see which ones were the strongest predictors.
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SAMPLE 2,660 men took part in our study. 753 men reported a lifetime suicide attempt (28%) 1,597 men reported suicidal thoughts within their lifetime (60%) 310 men reported no suicidal history (12%)
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The majority of our sample were: • aged 18 to 30 (61%), • white (81%), • straight (77%), • in part- or full-time employment (59%), • not in a relationship (62%), • and predominantly from Europe & Central Asia (51%), or North America (36%).
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RESULTS
Looking at each childhood challenge by itself, every experience we studied made suicidal behaviours more likely:
All of the challenges...
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• Sexual abuse; • Emotional abuse; • Emotional neglect; • Physical abuse; • Physical neglect; • Female or male caregiver overcontrol; • Female or male caregiver abuse; • Female or male caregiver indifference; • Bullying
... increased suicide risk
MEN WITH NO SUICIDAL HISTORY
MEN WITH THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE
MEN WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
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When we looked at all the childhood challenges together, the following experiences stood out as more strongly linked to suicidal behaviours.
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1 These experiences significantly increased the chances of a man having suicidal thoughts compared to having no suicidal history: MEN WITH NO SUICIDAL HISTORY
v
MEN WITH THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE Bullying Emotional abuse Emotional neglect
Female caregiver over-control
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2
These experiences significantly increased the chances of a man attempting suicide compared to having no suicidal history. MEN WITH NO SUICIDAL HISTORY
v
MEN WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
Bullying Emotional abuse
Emotional neglect Female caregiver over-control Sexual abuse
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3
These experiences significantly increased the chances that a man would attempt suicide rather than only have suicidal thoughts. MEN WITH THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE
v
MEN WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
Bullying Emotional abuse Sexual abuse
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BULLYING Bullying was a significant suicide risk factor across all three comparison groups. More research is needed to understand: • The impact of different types of bullying (i.e., physical, emotional, psychological), • The impact of age, duration, and identity of perpetrators (i.e., peers, adults, male, female).
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BULLYING We need to explore what men are bullied for i.e., being neurodiverse, not conforming to masculine norms, race, sexuality, appearance, poverty? And, how childhood bullying shapes a man’s developing sense of self, social value, social safety and trust towards others, and emotional regulation. Most importantly, we need better ways to prevent bullying in the first place and to support those affected by it.
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EMOTIONAL ABUSE & NEGLECT Emotional abuse was significant across all three groups; emotional neglect across two. We need to take these forms of emotional harm more seriously, especially in the context of male suicide.
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EMOTIONAL ABUSE & NEGLECT For boys, the psychological impact of emotional abuse and neglect at home may be compounded by cultural norms that potentially also emotionally abuse/ neglect men by discouraging men from fully embodying their emotions.
MATERNAL OVER-CONTROL
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Female caregiver over-control was significant in two groups • We need to understand these experiences more, i.e., are they more common in certain family or social contexts (i.e., singleparent homes, violent or low/high-income environments)? • What are the psychological reasons why some mothers may exert control?
MATERNAL OVER-CONTROL
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• How do experiences of maternal overcontrol impact men’s mental health long term and potentially increase suicide risk in adulthood?
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SEXUAL ABUSE Men who experienced sexual abuse were more likely to have attempted suicide While sexual abuse is traumatic for anyone, men may face added psychological challenges due to masculine norms - like being strong, stoic, or sexually dominant - that may particularly isolate some men from disclosure and support.
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SEXUAL ABUSE Exploring factors such as the length of abuse and the identity of the abuser (e.g., male or female) could offer deeper insight into how sexual abuse affects different men.
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DOUBLE-JEOPARDY Painful events in childhood
+
Norms of male emotional suppression
Many men may experience a double jeopardy in terms of experiencing childhood trauma and being socialised to deny their pain.
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Many childhood challenges are psychologically painful and may expose young boys to tremendous distress. If boys are then socialised to suppress and deny their pain, they may be left profoundly isolated.
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This isolation may have an additional and dangerous impact on how men regulate their pain, robbing them of effective coping strategies - such as disclosure and support - potentially elevating suicide as a coping mechanism.
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A KEY QUESTION TO BE EXPLORED IS: How do men cope with childhood emotional distress within the confines of societal expectations of masculinity?
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CLOSING THOUGHT:
“
Our findings highlight the critical need to address the emotional and interpersonal pain experienced by men exposed to childhood adversity. We need to continue to understand men as emotional, relational beings with a need for safe and meaningful connection, validation, and care, and the deep psychological wounds childhood trauma in these domains can leave. ”
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Read the paper in full: “Exploring Childhood Challenges and Male Suicide Risk: Findings From a Global Survey.” Journal of Men’s Studies