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Sagar-Ouriaghli I, Brown JSL, Tailor V, Godfrey E. Engaging male students with mental health support: a qualitative focus group study. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1159. [PMID: 32709225 PMCID: PMC7379819 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09269-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Males are less likely to seek help for mental health difficulties compared to females. Despite considerable interest, a paucity of evidence-based solutions exists to address this. Concerns about students’ mental health has led to the United Kingdom’s Department of Education to make this a priority. Studies have shown that male students hold more negative attitudes towards the use of psychological services compared to female students and are less likely to seek help. A major concern is that male students make up 69% of university suicides, which is often associated with lower rates of help-seeking. This focus group study therefore sought to identify potential approaches that would be relevant to improving mental health help-seeking in male students. Methods Three focus groups comprising of 24 male students at a London University were conducted. Participants were asked questions exploring: the barriers to seeking help, what would encourage help-seeking, how an appropriate intervention should be designed, and how to publicise this intervention to male students. Thematic analysis was conducted to evaluate participants responses. Results Five distinct themes were identified. These were: 1) protecting male vulnerability, 2) providing a masculine narrative of help-seeking, 3) differences over intervention format, 4) difficulty knowing when and how to seek help, and 5) strategies to sensitively engage male students. Conclusions These themes represent important considerations that can be used, together with the existing literature about male help-seeking, to develop more male friendly interventions that are suitable for male students. This could help improve help-seeking attitudes and the uptake of mental health interventions for male students experiencing emotional distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Sagar-Ouriaghli
- Department of Psychology, Addiction Sciences Building, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, 4 Windsor Walk, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8BB, UK.
| | - J S L Brown
- Department of Psychology, Henry Wellcome Building, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - V Tailor
- GKT School of Medical Education, King's College London, London, UK
| | - E Godfrey
- Department of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK. .,Psychology Department, Guy's Campus, 5th Floor Bermondsey Wing, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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Kelly D, Steiner A, Mason H, Teasdale S. Men's Sheds: A conceptual exploration of the causal pathways for health and well-being. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2019; 27:1147-1157. [PMID: 31206945 PMCID: PMC6772158 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Although men have a lower life expectancy than women, and are more susceptible to illness, they have been found to be less likely to engage in health-seeking behaviour. Men's Sheds, as a gendered intervention, has been identified as an effective way to engage men in meaningful activity and gain social support from others. However, links between sheds and health and well-being are not well-documented, and evidence is lacking of the potential causal pathways to health generation. This study aims to develop a plausible empirically based causal theory of how Men's Sheds influence the health and well-being of their participants and to set out future research directions to test this theory. Drawing on a scoping review of academic, peer-reviewed journal articles published between 1990 and 2018, potential causal linkages between shed activity and health and well-being outcomes are synthesised into a logic model framework. Sixteen relevant peer-reviewed journal were identified from the academic literature. The data from the articles are predominantly self-reported, and characterised by small sample sizes and/ or low response rates. Further, information is lacking on the demographics of Men's Shed participants and the contexts in which they exist. Most notably, while there is some evidence on the potential mental health and social well-being impacts of shed activities, physical health is less documented. The study shows that there is a lack of reliable and systematic evidence of the potential causal pathways between Men's Shed activities and health and well-being outcomes. In order to address research gaps, further research is required to test and develop the proposed theory and logic model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Kelly
- Yunus Centre for Social Business and HealthGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgowUK
| | - Artur Steiner
- Yunus Centre for Social Business and HealthGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgowUK
| | - Helen Mason
- Yunus Centre for Social Business and HealthGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgowUK
| | - Simon Teasdale
- Yunus Centre for Social Business and HealthGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgowUK
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Robertson S, Gough B, Hanna E, Raine G, Robinson M, Seims A, White A. Successful mental health promotion with men: the evidence from 'tacit knowledge'. Health Promot Int 2018; 33:334-344. [PMID: 27543933 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daw067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There remains significant concern about men's mental health, particularly in terms of personal and societal barriers to help-seeking, negative coping mechanisms and high suicide rates. This article presents findings from a multi-phase study looking at 'what works' in mental health promotion for men. Work here reports the collection and analysis of the tacit knowledge of those working within mental health promotion interventions for men. A 'multiple hub and spoke' approach was used to assist data collection. Thirteen key players, active in the men's mental health field, half from the UK and half beyond, formed an Investigative Network collecting data, mainly through interviews, from wider geographical and professional community contexts where they had networks. The focus of data collection was on 'what works' in mental health promotion for men. Data was analysed using thematic analysis techniques. Findings suggest that settings which created safe male spaces acted to promote trust, reduce stigma and normalize men's engagement in interventions. Embedding interventions within the communities of men being engaged, fully involving these men, and holding 'male-positive' values engendered familiarity and consolidated trust. Using 'male-sensitive' language and activity-based approaches allowed for positive expressions of emotions, facilitated social engagement, and provided a base for open communication. Appropriate partnerships were also seen as a necessary requirement for success and as crucial for maximizing intervention impact. The importance of gender and 'masculinity' was apparent throughout these findings and taking time to understand gender could facilitate positive ways of working alongside men, increasing levels of engagement and successful outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Robertson
- Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK
| | - Brendan Gough
- Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK
| | - Esmée Hanna
- Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK
| | - Gary Raine
- Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK
| | - Mark Robinson
- Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK
| | - Amanda Seims
- Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK
| | - Alan White
- Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK
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Waling A, Fildes D. 'Don't fix what ain't broke': evaluating the effectiveness of a Men's Shed in inner-regional Australia. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2017; 25:758-768. [PMID: 27324594 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Men's Sheds and similar community programmes are known to encourage help-seeking behaviour and thus improve the health and well-being outcomes for the men who attend. This paper investigates this issue through a community needs assessment of a Men's Shed programme in inner-regional Australia. The immediate purpose of this research was to help direct future funding initiatives, and provide recommendations for potential changes and improvements to the programme. A community-level needs assessment is a systematic process used to determine and address gaps or needs between current and desired conditions within a particular community. We sought to explore how particular formats and structures of Men's Sheds programmes contribute to improve social and medical well-being, and whether there are key programme characteristics that could be emulated. In total, 22 surveys and 20 interviews were conducted with the men who participated in the programme. The report finds 95% of men are satisfied with the current running of the programme. While there were areas that have been identified for improvement, most men reported that they are content with the current format and would not like to see major changes to its implementation. The results of this research confirm the known benefits of these types of programmes. This paper provides other community programmes with some insight into the key success factors for running a Men's Shed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Waling
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dave Fildes
- Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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Cheshire A, Peters D, Ridge D. How do we improve men's mental health via primary care? An evaluation of the Atlas Men's Well-being Pilot Programme for stressed/distressed men. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2016; 17:13. [PMID: 26831720 PMCID: PMC4736718 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-016-0410-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over three-quarters of all suicides are men (England and Wales), this is despite higher levels of anxiety and depression being reported by women. This disparity may in part be explained by atypical presentations of distress in men, and gendered issues around help-seeking. Consequently, the Atlas Men's Well-being Programme was designed to engage stressed/distressed men who were patients at a London-based GP surgery. Atlas encouraged GPs to identify and refer men for counselling and/or acupuncture by raising their awareness of men's distress. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate Atlas in terms of patients' characteristics, service utilisation, patient outcomes and cost implications. METHODS All patients using the Programme were asked to complete a questionnaire before and after their Atlas sessions. Outcome measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, a 11-point scale measuring physical health, and the Psychological Outcome Profiles (PSYCHLOPS), a patient-generated outcome measure. Additionally, for cost calculations, participants were asked about their employment, number of days off work due to illness, and their health and social care service use. RESULTS 102 participants were recruited, 82 completed pre- and post-treatment questionnaires. Comparisons pre- and post-treatment revealed a statistically significant improvement in anxious mood (p <0.001), perceived stress (p < 0.001), positive well-being (p = <0.001), PSYCHLOPS (p = <0.001) and physical health (p = 0.001), though not depressed mood (p = 0.660). Additionally, reductions in costs related to lost employment and health and social care use, exceeded the cost of Atlas counselling and acupuncture sessions, with an average saving of nearly £700 per patient. CONCLUSIONS Atlas attendance was associated with improvements in patients' mental and physical health, and demonstrated likely cost savings. It is now important to understand patient and stakeholder perspectives. Further research could compare usual care with the Atlas approach, and investigate full cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Cheshire
- Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK.
| | - David Peters
- Westminster Centre for Resilience, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK.
| | - Damien Ridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK.
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Lefkowich M, Richardson N, Robertson S. "If We Want to Get Men in, Then We Need to Ask Men What They Want": Pathways to Effective Health Programing for Men. Am J Mens Health 2015; 11:1512-1524. [PMID: 26614444 DOI: 10.1177/1557988315617825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In Ireland, men's health is becoming a priority. In line with global trends, indicators of poor mental health (including rates of depression and suicide) are increasing alongside rates of unemployment and social isolation. Despite the growing awareness of men's health as a national priority, and development of the first National Men's Health Policy in the world, there is still a concern about men's nonengagement with health services. Health and community services often struggle to appropriately accommodate men, and men commonly avoid health spaces. A growing body of literature suggests that a persistent lack of support or resources for service providers contributes to their inability to identify and meet men's unique health needs. This study aims to provide further insight into the ways in which this gap between men and health services can be closed. Semistructured, qualitative interviews were conducted with nine project partners ( n = 9) of a successful men's health program in Dublin. Interviews captured reflections on what processes or strategies contribute to effective men's health programs. Findings suggest that gender-specific strategies-especially related to community-engagement and capacity building-are necessary in creating health programs that both promote men's health and enable men to safely and comfortably participate. Moreover, including men in all aspects of the planning stages helps ensure that programs are accessible and acceptable for men. These findings have been operationalized into a user-driven resource that illustrates evidence-informed strategies and guiding principles that can be used by practitioners hoping to engage with men.
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The pre-adoption demographic and health profiles of men participating in a programme of men's health delivered in English Premier League football clubs. Public Health 2011; 125:411-6. [PMID: 21726882 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2011.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the pre-adoption demographic and health profiles of men participating in a programme of men's health delivered in English Premier League (EPL) football clubs. STUDY DESIGN A series of match day and programmed health promotion interventions held in EPL clubs (n = 16), including awareness-raising activity days for supporters, weekly healthy lifestyle classes, and outreach activities targeted in local communities. Interventions were delivered at football stadia, club training venues and community facilities. Interventions were run by health trainers who received specific training in men's health and behavioural change activities. METHODS Participants completed self-report measures for demographics and lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity, consumption of fruit and vegetables, smoking, height, weight, consumption of alcohol and perception of health. Measurement occurred before the interventions. Data were independently analysed and used to assess adoption of the interventions and pre-intervention health profiles of participants. RESULTS Nine hundred and forty-six men adopted the interventions, but the mode of engagement led to variations in the sample size. Demographics showed that 89% (n = 783/875) were aged 18-44 years and 78% (n = 685/878) were White British. In a subsample, the percentages of men failing to meet health guidelines were as follows: physical activity, 79% (n = 351/440); consumption of fruit and vegetables, 82% (n = 315/380); smoking, 28% (n = 103/373); high body weight, 67% (n = 245/358); and high alcohol consumption, 40% (n = 112/279). Sixty-nine percent of men (n = 242/348) considered that they had no health problems, but 67% (n = 208/310) presented with three or more risk factors for coronary heart disease. Over 40% (n = 125/307) reported never going to see their general practitioner. CONCLUSION A national programme of men's health promotion interventions delivered in EPL football clubs was effective in reaching target audiences. Interventions were predominantly adopted by men not meeting health guidelines.
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Robinson M, Robertson S. Young men's health promotion and new information communication technologies: illuminating the issues and research agendas. Health Promot Int 2010; 25:363-70. [PMID: 20427372 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daq022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The article examines the use of newer, interactive information and communication technologies (ICTs) in young men's health promotion (HP), drawing on gender theory, HP research and evidence on young men's Internet usage. The focus is on highlighting an agenda for research in terms of emerging issues. New forms of social media ICT (for example 'web 2'-based on-line social networking sites, micro-blogging services, i-phones and podcasts) have the potential to enable young men to engage with health information in new and interesting ways. Given concerns about young men's engagement with health services, innovative ICT formats, particularly using the Internet, have been tried. However, issues persist around surfing 'addiction', quality control and equal access. Approaches to HP using new ICTs offer distributed control over information content and quality and a lay social context for accessing information. Online communities can potentially legitimize young men's participation in discourses around health, and support sustained engagement. The article discusses how this could support young men to re-conceptualize healthy choices in the context of masculine imperatives and responsible citizenship if specific conditions are met (for trusting engagement) and risks addressed (such as commercial disinformation). The skill requirements for young men to engage effectively with new ICTs are explored, focusing on health literacy (HL). It is predicted that social marketing approaches to HP for young men will increasingly include new ICTs, making specific requirements for HL. These approaches may appeal narrowly to hegemonic masculinities or broadly to multiple masculinities, including those historically marginalized. Recommendations are made for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Robinson
- Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK.
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Williams R, Robertson S, Hewison A. Men's health, inequalities and policy: contradictions, masculinities and public health in England. CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/09581590802668457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Beyond Gender Profiling in Lifestyle Medicine. Am J Lifestyle Med 2008. [DOI: 10.1177/1559827608323209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This review discusses evidence-based perspectives on lifestyle risk reduction for men. Implications for clinical best practices and social policy are considered. Directions for future research also are highlighted.
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