Impact of masculinity upon psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of masculinity upon psychosis
IRAS ID
199894
Contact name
Robert Searle
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
Masculinity often operates along a continuum. Strict adherence to masculinity norms can result in violence and aggression, and too little adherence can create vulnerability and risk (Mac an Ghaill & Haywood, 2012), including the increased likelihood of group rejection and social isolation (Cialdini & Trost, 1999). Consequently, difficulties adhering to societal concepts of masculinity is hypothesized to lead to distress (O’Neil, 1981) and unhealthy coping behaviour (Pleck 1981; Eisler & Blalock 1991).\n\nPsychosis is a term used by clinicians to describe a range of conditions characterized by schizophrenia, including ‘positive’ symptoms (e.g. unusual experiences such as hearing voices, delusional beliefs and disturbances to thought and language that cause disruption to normal functioning) (Peters, 2007), and ‘negative’ symptoms such as affective flattening and avolition (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). \n\nAlthough researchers have made vast efforts to clarify and measure the possible impact of masculinity upon health and wellbeing (Connell, 1995), the intersecting factors of being young, male and having psychosis have barely been studied as a unique constellation of issues (Harrop & Trower, 2001). Therefore, the researcher will interview qualified clinical psychologists, and males currently residing in the Caswell Clinic who have experienced psychotic symptomology to explore these issues. \n\nInterviews with the researcher will last approximately 45 minutes. The interviews will then be transcribed, and used to develop a ‘Q set’ (reoccurring categories, themes, etc) comprising of between 40-50 statements. Participants will then be asked to position Q set items on a continuum according to how much or little they agree with statements within the ‘Q set’, which will then be factor analysed.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
16/WA/0127
Date of REC Opinion
12 May 2016
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion