Gender awareness, symptom expressions and Irish mental health-care provision

Abstract

Irish mental health policy and care provision is criticised for being gender-neutral despite gender being present in almost every aspect of illness; from risk to protection; symptom interpretation; diagnosing, ideology and knowledge of illnesses. The aim of this paper was to present the views of Irish service users and providers in relation to symptom expressions, gender awareness and care provision. A qualitative social realist design was used using Layder's (1998) adaptive theory and social domains theory. In-depth interviews (n = 54) with 26 service users and 28 service providers were conducted within one mental health service in Ireland. Dominant societal expectations for men and women are described in response to symptom expressions that reflect ‘categorical’ and ‘performative’ understandings of gender. A return of interest to symptoms-based research and practice from a gendered perspective is argued for.

Keywords::

• symptoms
• masculinities
• femininities
• mental health care
• Ireland

Notes

^1. Email: [email protected]

^2. Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Bergin

Michael Bergin is a lecturer in Nursing at the Department of Nursing, Waterford Institute of Technology. His teaching responsibilities include modules related to substance use, abuse and dependence issues, psychology and research. He previously worked as a psychiatric nurse in the Kilkenny Mental Health Services, having held positions of clinical nurse manager, community mental health nurse and project officer for the integration of the Carlow/Kilkeny Mental Health Services. His current interests are in the areas of gender and mental health care provision, health informatics, nurse prescribing, codeine use and epilepsy. He completed his PhD at the University of Lincoln UK in 2012.

John S.G. Wells

Professor John Wells PhD, MSc, BA(Hons), PGDipEd, RNT, RPN is Head of School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland. His research interests include policy implementation, work related stress, gender and mental health services.

Sara Owen

Professor Sara Owen PhD, BA, BEd, SRN, RMN, RNT is Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln, UK. Her research interests are in relation to Women and mental health, mental health policy and gender.