Young Men, Masculinities and Health, 2003-2004

UKDA study number:5371

Principal Investigators

De Visser, R.
University of Sussex. Department of Psychology
Smith, J.A.
Birkbeck, University of London. School of Psychology

Sponsor

Economic and Social Research Council

Distributed by

UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Colchester.

November 2006

Bibliographic Citation

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De Visser, R. and Smith, J.A., Young Men, Masculinities and Health, 2003-2004 [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], November 2006. SN: 5371, http://dx.doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-5371-1

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Copyright:
R. De Visser and J. A. Smith

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5371 . Young Men, Masculinities and Health, 2003-2004

Depositor:

De Visser, R. , University of Sussex. Department of Psychology

Principal Investigators:

De Visser, R. , University of Sussex. Department of Psychology

Smith, J.A. , Birkbeck, University of London. School of Psychology

Sponsor:

Economic and Social Research Council
Grant Number: RES-000-22-0406

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of men's beliefs about masculinity on their social behaviour, particularly that related to their health. The study was influenced by recent research into masculinity and masculine identities, especially among young men. A second influence was the steady stream of health-related research showing high rates of alcohol consumption (especially 'binge drinking'), recreational drug use, smoking (although rates are falling among young men), unprotected sex and sexually transmitted infections, and motor vehicle accidents. Rather than making the assumption that masculinity is 'bad' for men's health, this study sought to interrogate the links between masculinity and health, and to see whether masculinity is a 'package deal' of behaviours, or whether men are able to forge their own identities and their own patterns of masculine (and non-masculine) behaviour.

The research focus was on young men's lived experiences of growing up, socialising, and developing a masculine identity. To do this, a qualitative study was designed. The participants in the study were 18 - 21-year-old men living in inner London. This group was chosen because these men are old enough to drink, drive, etc. and would be somewhere between leaving school and their adult destinations. They would have achieved some degree of independence, but may still have been in the process of developing their identities.

Thirty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with a group of men recruited to ensure diversity in class/socio-economic opportunity (unemployed young men from job centres and young men from universities were recruited for the study), and race/ethnicity (the sample was stratified to ensure sufficient numbers of white, black, and Asian young men were included). In addition, focus group discussions were also conducted.

Main Topics:

The focus of the interviews was respondents' individual experience of life and social behaviour. In addition, five focus group discussions were held, to examine issues such as masculinity and health, and to assess to what extent different participants endorsed different discourses of those issues.

Coverage:

Dates of Fieldwork: September 2003 - August 2004
Country: England
Geography: Greater London
Spatial Units: No spatial unit
Observation Units: Individuals
Kind of Data: Textual data; Individual (micro) level; Semi-structured interview transcripts; Focus Group transcripts

Universe Sampled:

Location of Units of Observation: Subnational
Population: Young men resident in London during 2003-2004.

Methodology:

Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: One-stage stratified or systematic random sample
Number of Units: 31 semi-structured interview transcripts; 5 focus group transcripts
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview; Focus group
Weighting: Not applicable

Language(s) of Written Materials:

Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:

Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Qualidata, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: qualidata@esds.ac.uk

Date of First Release:

20 November 2006

Copyright:

R. De Visser and J. A. Smith

File last updated:

4 January 2012