Cooper, Garry 
ORCID: 0000-0002-8758-8665
(2024).
Male mask and monologue: voices from the silent minority within lymphoedema.
University of Birmingham.
Ph.D.
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Cooper2024PhD_Redacted.pdf
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Abstract
Background
Men’s perceptions of non-cancer-related lymphoedema are the basis of this thesis. Lymphoedema is a long-term physical condition which has multiple causes that lead to swelling in any part of the body. Lymphoedema can affect a person beyond the physical effects of swelling, to encompass the psychological and relational aspects within their lives. Men as a proportion of those affected by lymphoedema are a minority compared to women. A systematic meta-aggregation review was conducted which revealed that men affected by non-cancer-related lymphoedema are also underrepresented in the academic literature. The review indicated that theories of masculinity had not yet been used to explore men’s experiences of lymphoedema, and nor had narrative inquiry has been utilised. The limited empirical literature and methodological approaches used in men with non-cancer related lymphoedema. Provided a unique opportunity to explore men’s perceptions as outlined in the proposed research questions.
Research Questions
The existing literature was used in the formation of the main research question that was to be answered through the four sub-questions outlined below.
Main research question: What are the perceptions of men diagnosed with non-cancer-related lymphedema?
Sub-research questions:
1. How do men perceive engagement within their self-management of their non-cancer-related lymphoedema?
2. How do men perceive their non-cancer-related lymphoedema within their daily lives?
3. What are men’s perceptions of support within their non-cancer-related lymphoedema?
4. What are men’s perceptions of masculinity within their non-cancer-related lymphoedema?
Methods
Interpretivist qualitative methodology was applied throughout the thesis that supported the research questions outlined. As outlined in the background of the thesis was the limited exploration of the perceptions of men with non-cancer related lymphoedema and the use of narrative inquiry. The thesis used multiple methods and analytical approaches aligned to narrative inquiry across the three individual studies, such as online semi-structured interviews and the application of narrative linguistic analysis. The multiple approaches and reflexivity used across the three studies provided methodological triangulation that increased the trustworthiness and rigour of the work.
Findings
The findings of the thesis were formed across the four individual studies which included the systematic meta-aggregation review, narrative survey, solicited diaries and online semi-structured interviews. The systematic review identified four synthesised findings 1) the new norm, 2) the journey into the unknown, 3) access and 4) personhood. These findings were noted as being present in varying degrees within the narrative survey, solicited diaries and online semi-structured interviews. What was added to these findings was the way men may or may not align to varying aspects of hegemonic masculinity in their gender expression within traits and behaviours, due to multiple masculinities and the disruption caused to men’s masculinity due to lymphoedema. These aspects were noted across all themes and parts within the studies, for example, narrative survey theme psychological, diary theme vulnerability and semi-structured interview part disruption. In addition, the findings suggest that men use traits and behaviours as masculine capital within the negotiations surrounding their hegemonic masculinity, due to their disrupted masculinity and vulnerability. This was noted in the narrative survey through the theme of physical control, but also within the diary theme of solace in routine and the online interview part journey. Collectively the findings answered the overarching question of the perceptions of men with non-cancer-related lymphoedema.
Implications
Following the findings across the whole thesis has implications across policy, practice, research, and theory. Future policies were considered as needing to involve men within their production and to build upon previous projects that had focused on men. Whilst recognising that men as a group have differences and nuances. These nuances need to be present within practice through gender-based interventions, such as support or educational programmes that are co-produced, or gender transformative by challenging perceived unhealthy behaviours. The effectiveness of these interventions or approaches are possible future research implications that have relevance within the current national conversations surrounding men’s health. The thesis has explored and applied the two theoretical concepts, 1) hegemonic masculinity and 2) HIMM framework. What was noted was the need in the findings to expand them to include other theories, such as biographical disruption, to explain what was seen as disrupted masculinity, and typologies, such as renegotiating hegemonic masculinity, to interpret how men adapt their masculinities. The implications indicate the wide-ranging outcomes from the thesis that have relevance within both the area of lymphoedema and beyond.
| Type of Work: | Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.) | ||||||||||||
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| Award Type: | Doctorates > Ph.D. | ||||||||||||
| Supervisor(s): |
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| Licence: | All rights reserved | ||||||||||||
| College/Faculty: | Colleges > College of Social Sciences | ||||||||||||
| School or Department: | School of Social Policy, Health Services Management Centre | ||||||||||||
| Funders: | None/not applicable | ||||||||||||
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RT Nursing |
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| URI: | http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/14999 |
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