'The last thing you feel is the self-disgust'. The role of self-directed disgust in men who have attempted suicide: A grounded theory study

Mason, David, James, Darren, Andrew, Liz and Fox, John RE ORCID: 0000-0003-3039-8024 (2022) 'The last thing you feel is the self-disgust'. The role of self-directed disgust in men who have attempted suicide: A grounded theory study. PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY-THEORY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, 95 (2). pp. 575-599.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/papt.12389

Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>Globally, suicide affects more men than women. Emotional pain underpins many theoretical accounts of suicidality, yet little is known about the role of disgust in suicide. Self-directed disgust, whereby aspects of the self-serve as an object of disgust, has been hypothesised to factor in suicide. This research aimed to explore the processes which link self-disgust to attempted suicide in males.<h4>Method</h4>Nine men who had attempted suicide completed semi-structured interviews. The interview data were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology.<h4>Results</h4>Three concepts emerged out of the analysis: (1) self-disgust; (2) worthlessness; and (3) the endured emotional distress of 'the abyss'" - these concepts interweaved, leading the men to experience hopelessness, disconnection and an inability to cope, leading ultimately to their suicide attempt. Throughout this journey, various disgust-related processes worsened men's distress and increased their suicidal risk. Historic adversities prevailed across the data, as did the men's difficulties in understanding their emotions.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Self-disgust was an important emotion in the men's experiences of suicide and shaped their views of themselves and their lives. The distancing and repellent properties of self-disgust, in addition to the fear of having their 'disgustingness' exposed, increased suicidal risk. Self-disgust appeared more pervasive in the suicidality of men with a history of multiple childhood adversities. The limitations of this research are discussed as implications for clinical practice and directions for future research.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	attempted suicide, emotion, grounded theory, male, qualitative, self-disgust
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	31 Jan 2023 16:38
Last Modified:	31 Jan 2023 16:39
DOI:	10.1111/papt.12389
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12389
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3168039