Experiences of Health Professionals regarding Youth Suicide Attempts: A Study on the Context of Gender and Hegemonic Masculinity in Turkey

Abstract In preventing youth suicides, health professionals’ evaluations and experiences regarding youth suicide attempts are important. This study was aimed at discovering the evaluations and experiences of health professionals regarding youth suicide attempts in the context of gender and hegemonic masculinity. Within the scope of the study, the qualitative research method and phenomenological design were used and 12 health professionals in Ankara Turkey. The data collected using the semi-structured interview form were analyzed with the MAXQDA. The following two main themes emerged in the study: (a) gender and hegemonic masculinity as factors leading to oppression on young people (b) caring for young people who have attempted suicide; experiences. Consequently, health professionals stated that gender, and hegemonic masculinity patterns were effective in youth suicide attempts, that they were faced with ethical dilemmas while intervening with young people, that young people were exposed to violence perpetrated by their relatives, and that young people experienced such emotions as pain, compassion, empathy, and stress during all these processes. Studies in the future should include prevention studies on the evaluations and experiences of health and social service professionals regarding youth suicide attempts in different social contexts, their coping styles and social services.