Exploring Vulnerability to Suicide in the Developmental History of Young Men: A Psychological Autopsy Study

Abstract

This study explores the developmental history of ten young men who completed suicide in the transition to adulthood. The young men, aged 18–30, had no previous history of suicide attempts or treatment in mental health. In-depth interviews with four to eight informants for each suicide were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three developmental issues from early age onwards emerged: (a) unsuccessful in becoming independent; (b) weakened competence to deal with shame; and (c) trapped in anger. The capacity to regulate emotions like shame and anger could make certain men vulnerable to suicide when facing adult challenges and defeats.

Acknowledgments

This work forms part of the doctoral thesis of Mette L. Rasmussen to be submitted to the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. The project is supported by grants awarded by the Research Council of Norway. We also want to thank the informants who participated in the study, as well as Melanie Straiton for her valuable assistance in preparation of this article.