UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILDHOOD CHALLENGES AND MALE SUICIDE RISK.
We know that difficult experiences in childhood can have long-lasting effects on a person’s well-being and can be associated with suicide risk later in life.
But much of the existing research has included more women than men, and relatively little has focused specifically on understanding these experiences in boys and men.
We wanted to understand more deeply which childhood experiences impact men who are suicidal and how childhood pain may continue to shape vulnerability to suicide long after childhood itself has ended.
Across two related studies, we explored these questions from different perspectives.
- The first study examined which childhood experiences were associated with suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in men.
- The second study analysed men’s own descriptions of painful childhood experiences that they felt had negatively affected their adult lives.
“Constant loneliness, in my house, in school and everywhere else. I have very little nice experiences to remember. All I often remember is loneliness and pain.”
EXPLORE THE RESEARCH
STUDY 1: Quantitative Study
Which childhood experiences are linked to male suicide risk?
Exploring which childhood experiences are associated with suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in men.
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STUDY 2: Qualitative Study
"I had no safe space" Childhood pain in men’s own words
Exploring men’s own accounts of painful childhood experiences.
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