Neurotic Depression and Suicidal Ideation in Finnish Men: a Learning Theory Approach

The theme of this paper is neurotic depression and suicidal ideation as studied in seventeen Finnish men between the ages of 22 and 46. These men were seen in learning-theory oriented individual psychotherapy (10-46 sessions). The results of treatment are evaluated in relation to the Finnish concept of masculine identity and particularly the difficulty experienced by fathers in achieving a close and permissive relationship with their sons, so that a boy could learn to tolerate “weaknesses” within himself.