Author: Tracey McAlpine Category: Health, Men's Health, Mental Health, Psychology
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‘Male mid-life crisis reaches epidemic proportions’ claims a new study.

The study had shown a staggering increase in the number of men experiencing symptoms traditionally associated with a mid-life crisis.  These men are still turning to the ‘classic techniques’ used for coping at such a time.

The study was carried out by Bennetts, a company specialising in motorbike insurance, to understand whether the belief that men between 40-55 years old buy a motorbike to cope with a mid-life crisis, remains true or not.

The research amongst over 1000 British men showed that six out of every ten men aged between 40 and 55, the age traditionally most associated with the mid-life crisis, now say they have had or are currently experiencing a mid-life crisis.  Responses showed that those men find it difficult to understand and hard to handle, with friends and family being confused and showing limited support.   

These symptoms, however, are no longer reserved for this age group. The majority of men between 16 and 70 years old now report a life-review or transition experiences with nearly three quarters (73%) currently being or having recently been concerned with the direction of their life. 

It appears that the classic techniques for coping are as popular as ever.  Buying a car or motorbike still tops the list alongside changing job, moving house and forming a new relationship.  Over a third of motorcycle owners got into bikes specifically to cope.  Bikers come out of the study exceptionally well, reporting the greatest success in managing their mid-life crisis adaptively, rather than being in denial.  Over half felt they had dealt with their mid-life crisis positively, the top response.  Only 13% of the bikers said they had not yet overcome their mid-life crisis and they reported the fewest ‘changed relationships’ and the most ‘involved partners’, signifying that they maintained better relationships with their partners compared to men adopting different coping mechanisms.

Speaking about the research findings, Dr Derek Milne, author of ‘Coping with a Mid-Life Crisis’, commented: “These findings suggest that British men are struggling more than ever to cope with modern life.  I find it heartening that bikers, often portrayed as somewhat solitary and anti-social, seemed to become more sociable through biking, helping them to deal with their mid-life crises.”

So if your partner arrives home with a new car or a motorbike you will know that it’s his coping strategy!

Read more about the myth of mid-life crises here.