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McEvoy PM, Holmes K, Smith BJ, Bullen J, Chiu VW, Wild J, Ashley J, Talbot R. Pathways from Men's Shed engagement to wellbeing, health-related quality of life, and lower loneliness. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad084. [PMID: 37584668 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive qualitative evidence, but limited quantitative evidence, indicates that mutual aid organizations such as Men's Sheds have positive impacts on wellbeing, health-related quality of life, and loneliness. A recently developed theoretical model proposes that Men's Sheds may have these impacts via mediating factors such as broadening social networks, increasing behavioural activation and physical activity, reducing alcohol use, and providing meaning in life. The aim of this study was to quantitatively test a model whereby psychological safety (feeling safe, accepted, and valued) is associated with Men's Shed engagement (frequency of attendance, duration of membership, diversity of activities), which is associated with the hypothesized mediators, which, in turn, are associated with wellbeing, health-related quality of life, and loneliness. Men's Shed members (N = 333, Mage = 70.90 years, SD = 10.34, 98% male) completed a survey assessing the factors in the model. The hypothesized path model provided an excellent fit to the data. Findings indicated that higher psychological safety was associated with higher engagement, which, in turn, was associated with larger social networks and more meaning in life, which were associated with higher wellbeing and lower loneliness. Higher behavioural activation and less alcohol use were also associated with higher wellbeing. Higher Men's Shed engagement was not associated with higher behavioural activation and physical activity, or less alcohol use, but behavioural activation and alcohol use were directly associated with health-related quality of life. Implications for optimizing health outcomes within Men's Sheds are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M McEvoy
- School of Population Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Interventions, North Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kirsten Holmes
- School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Brendan J Smith
- School of Population Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jonathan Bullen
- enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Vivian W Chiu
- School of Population Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - James Wild
- Men's Sheds of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jaxon Ashley
- Men's Sheds of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rebecca Talbot
- Men's Sheds of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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McGrath A, Murphy N, Egan T, Ormond G, Richardson N. Understanding shedders: Which socio-demographic, health and wellbeing characteristics best inform appropriate health promotion action in men's sheds and a 'Shed for Life'? Health Promot J Austr 2023; 34:156-168. [PMID: 36692862 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED Men's sheds ('Sheds') have been identified as inherently health promoting and as potential settings to engage 'hard-to-reach' men in more structured health promotion initiatives. However, little is known about the socio-demographic or health and wellbeing characteristics of Shed members ('Shedders') on which such initiatives might be based. This study captures a baseline cross-sectional analysis of Shedders (n = 384) who participated in 'Sheds for Life', a health promotion initiative tailored to Sheds. METHODS Objective health measures (body composition, blood pressure, blood lipids) captured via health screening as well as socio-demographic and health and wellbeing measures (physical activity, subjective wellbeing, mental health, social capital, cooking and diet) via questionnaires were assessed. Descriptive statistics were generated and differences between groups were determined via parametric and non-parametric testing. Bivariate analysis was used to determine associations and regression analysis then estimated various predictors on mental wellbeing, life satisfaction and loneliness. RESULTS Participants were mostly over 65 years (77.3%), retired (88.6%) with limited educational attainment (77%). The majority were in the 'at-risk' categories for objective health measures, with most being referred to their GP following health screening (79.6%). Older Shedders were also more likely to meet physical activity guidelines. Mental wellbeing was positively correlated with life satisfaction and increased social capital and these were also positively correlated with physical activity (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the potential of Sheds in reaching a 'hard-to-reach' and 'at-risk' cohort of men. Despite a high prevalence of 'at-risk' objective health measures, participants report their health in positive terms. Future health promotion initiatives should capitalise on the inherent health-promoting properties of Sheds. SO WHAT?: Findings raise important implications for prioritising and designing health promotion initiatives in Shed settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling McGrath
- School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology Ireland, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Niamh Murphy
- School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology Ireland, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Tom Egan
- School of Business, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Gillian Ormond
- School of Business, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Noel Richardson
- National Centre for Men's Health, Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow, Ireland
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McGrath A, Murphy N, Egan T, Richardson N. Sheds for life: health and wellbeing outcomes of a tailored community-based health promotion initiative for men’s sheds in Ireland. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1590. [PMID: 35987612 PMCID: PMC9392583 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13964-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Gender is increasingly recognised as a critical factor in designing community-based health promotion programmes. Men’s Sheds (‘Sheds’) are community-based informal environments that represent a safe space in which to engage cohorts of hard-to-reach (HTR) men in health promotion. Sheds for Life (SFL), the first structured health promotion initiative evaluated globally in Sheds, is a 10-week initiative co-designed with Shed Members (Shedders) and delivered directly in the Shed setting in Ireland. This research describes the health and wellbeing outcomes experienced by SFL participants.
Methods
Purposive sampling was used to recruit a diverse representation of Shedders (n = 421) participating in SFL alongside a wait list control (n = 86). Questionnaires assessing constructs of health and wellbeing were administered one-to-one in Sheds at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Descriptive data for health outcomes were generated for each time point and assessed for significant changes using inferential testing, while considering COVID-19 impact.
Results
Outcomes related to subjective wellbeing, mental wellbeing, physical activity, social capital and healthy eating significantly increased post SFL (p < 0.05). Mental wellbeing scores (SWEMWBS) post SFL remained significantly higher than baseline despite COVID-19 impact (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression indicated that the odds of a meaningful SWEMWBS change was significantly higher for shedders that had lower SWEMWBS (OR 0.804), less loneliness (OR 0.638) and lived alone (OR 0.456) at baseline. Shedders with lower SWEMBWS had higher odds of experiencing positive changes in life satisfaction (OR 0.911) and trust (OR 0.928), while Shedders who lived alone had also higher odds of experience positive changes in healthy eating (OR 0.481). Finally, inactive Shedders at baseline had higher odds of experiencing increased levels of physical activity (OR 0.582).
Conclusions
Findings suggest that the inclusive, community-based SFL model is effective in engaging Shedders and facilitating positive and sustained changes in health and wellbeing outcomes. Using gender-specific approaches in the informal and safe environment of the Shed are effective in engaging men in structured health and wellbeing initiatives, particularly those who may be more vulnerable, isolated or lonely.
Trial registration
This study has been retrospectively registered with the ‘International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number’ registry (ISRCTN79921361) as of 05/03/2021.
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Foettinger L, Albrecht BM, Altgeld T, Gansefort D, Recke C, Stalling I, Bammann K. The Role of Community-Based Men’s Sheds in Health Promotion for Older Men: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review. Am J Mens Health 2022; 16:15579883221084490. [PMID: 35287514 PMCID: PMC8928410 DOI: 10.1177/15579883221084490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Men’s Sheds are a community-based health promotion concept which brings men together to engage in joint activities. Prior research reported beneficial effects on health and well-being of the participants; however, evidence is limited. The main objective of this systematic review is to provide an extensive overview of current research on the effectiveness of Men’s Sheds on self-rated health, social isolation, and well-being by applying a mixed-methods approach. In addition, this review aims to identify how to successfully transfer and implement the concept. Eligible for inclusion were all studies published in English, German, or French that specifically referred to the concept of Men’s Sheds. Four databases were searched for eligible studies, followed by a hand search on websites and reference lists. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using checklists developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Following the convergent integrated approach, quantitative data were transformed and merged with qualitative data to conduct a thematic analysis. Overall, 35 qualitative, nine quantitative, and eight mixed-methods studies were included. We found evidence regarding benefits of shed participation on self-rated health, social isolation, and well-being. We identified three key characteristics of a successful Men’s Shed, including appropriate shed facilities, sufficient funding as well as a participant-driven management and organization of the shed. This mixed-methods systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence base concerning Men’s Sheds and highlights the need for longitudinal studies investigating causal relationships and gathering sufficient information on how to successfully transfer and implement the concept of Men’s Sheds in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Foettinger
- Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Birte Marie Albrecht
- Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Thomas Altgeld
- State Association for Health and Academy for Social Medicine Lower Saxony, Lower Saxony, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Gansefort
- State Association for Health and Academy for Social Medicine Lower Saxony, Lower Saxony, Hannover, Germany
| | - Carina Recke
- Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Imke Stalling
- Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Karin Bammann
- Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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McGrath A, Murphy N, Egan T, Ormond G, Richardson N. An Economic Evaluation of 'Sheds for Life': A Community-Based Men's Health Initiative for Men's Sheds in Ireland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042204. [PMID: 35206391 PMCID: PMC8871832 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Men’s Sheds (‘Sheds’) attract a diverse cohort of men and, as such, have been identified as spaces with the potential to engage marginalized subpopulations with more structured health promotion. ‘Sheds for Life’ is a 10-week men’s health initiative for Sheds in Ireland and the first structured health promotion initiative formally evaluated in Sheds. Cost is an important implementation outcome in the evaluation of Sheds for Life when operating in an environment where budgets are limited. Therefore, an economic evaluation is critical to highlight cost-effectiveness for decision makers who determine sustainability. This is the first study to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of health endeavors in Sheds. All costs from pre-implementation to maintenance phases were gathered, and questionnaires incorporating the SF-6D were administered to participants (n = 421) at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Then, utility scores were generated to determine quality-adjusted life years (QALYS). Results demonstrate that the intervention group experienced an average 3.3% gain in QALYS from baseline to 3 months and a further 2% gain from 3 months to 6 months at an estimated cost per QALY of €15,724. These findings highlight that Sheds for Life is a cost-effective initiative that effectively engages and enhances the well-being of Shed members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling McGrath
- School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Niamh Murphy
- School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland;
| | - Tom Egan
- School of Business, Waterford Institute of Technology, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland; (T.E.); (G.O.)
| | - Gillian Ormond
- School of Business, Waterford Institute of Technology, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland; (T.E.); (G.O.)
| | - Noel Richardson
- National Centre for Men’s Health, Institute of Technology Carlow, R93 V960 Carlow, Ireland;
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McGrath A, Richardson N, Murphy N. Strategies for effective implementation and scale-up of a multi-level co-designed men's health initiative "Sheds for Life" in Irish Men's Sheds. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2022; 2:940031. [PMID: 36925798 PMCID: PMC10012692 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2022.940031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Sheds for Life is a gender-specific tailored men's health initiative engaging "hard-to-reach" men in the Men's Shed setting in Ireland. It is implemented by multiple stakeholders at individual, provider, organization and systems level and thus multiple contextual factors influence its scalability. This research used established implementation science frameworks to guide participatory research approaches that captured the process and identified facilitators of and barriers to implementation and scale-up. Active recruitment, co-design processes, leadership and stakeholder engagement emerged as key facilitators of implementation. Prominent barriers were institutional capacity and funding. Acceptability, adoption and appropriateness of the initiative were high among stakeholders with sustainability largely contingent on funding and staff resources. Findings make a valuable contribution to knowledge by capturing the process involved in the implementation of a complex multi-level men's health intervention. It provides a "how to" guide of strategies to engage hard-to-reach men with health promotion, the operationalization and application of implementation frameworks in community-based health promotion, and the implementation of health promotion in Men's Sheds. Documented barriers and facilitators that impact implementation of a community-based men's health program are rare and provide a valuable blueprint for practitioners, researchers and policy makers in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling McGrath
- School of Health Sciences, South East Technological University, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Noel Richardson
- National Centre for Men's Health, South East Technological University, Carlow, Ireland
| | - Niamh Murphy
- School of Health Sciences, South East Technological University, Waterford, Ireland
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Kelly D, Steiner A. The impact of community Men's Sheds on the physical health of their users. Health Place 2021; 71:102649. [PMID: 34392057 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
With men more susceptible than women to illness and mortality, and less likely to access primary healthcare services, there have been calls for more male friendly spaces within communities to engage 'hard to reach' men in physical health improvement. Research has shown that Men's Shed (Shed) activity can provide localised support for the mental health and social wellbeing of men within communities, yet less is known about Sheds' impacts on physical health. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 62 Sheds users, this study conceptualises proposed pathways from which Shed activity can lead to positive physical health outcomes. Findings showed that in attending a community Men's Shed and taking part in activities users reported (i) increased mobility and decreased sedentary behavior, (ii) increased ability to overcome physical illness or injury, (iii) improved diet, (iv) decreased alcohol use, and (v) improved physical health knowledge. These findings support wider recommendations for community-based male friendly approaches to physical health improvement, and stress the importance of health and care service delivery beyond boundaries of 'standard' NHS settings, especially when targeting those viewed as 'hard to reach'. While initiatives like Sheds do not offer a replacement of primary healthcare services, they have the potential to fit within existing health and social care practices as an alternative local health-engagement space for men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Kelly
- Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, M201 George Moore Building, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, United Kingdom.
| | - Artur Steiner
- Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, M201 George Moore Building, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, United Kingdom.
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McGrath A, Murphy N, Richardson N. Study protocol: evaluation of sheds for life (SFL): a community-based men's health initiative designed "for shedders by shedders" in Irish Men's sheds using a hybrid effectiveness-implementation design. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:801. [PMID: 33902508 PMCID: PMC8072742 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10823-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Men’s Sheds (“Sheds”) offer a unique opportunity to reach a captive audience of “hard-to-reach” men. However, attempts to engage Sheds in structured health promotion programmes must respect the ethos of Sheds as highly variable, autonomous, non-structured spaces. This paper captures the key methodologies used in “Sheds for Life’ (SFL), a men’s health initiative tailored to the Shed setting. Methods A hybrid effectiveness-implementation study design is used to test effectiveness and implementation outcomes across multiple levels (participant, provider, organisational and systems levels). A dynamic, iterative and collaborative process seeks to address barriers and translation into the real world context. Using a community-based participatory research approach and guided by established implementation frameworks, Shed members (‘Shedders’) assume the role of key decision makers throughout the evaluation process to promote the systematic uptake of SFL across Shed settings. The protocols pertaining to the development, design and implementation of SFL and the evaluation of impact on participants’ health and wellbeing outcomes up to 12 months are outlined. Conclusions There is a dynamic interplay between the intervention characteristics of SFL and the need to assess and understand the diverse contexts of Sheds and the wider implementation environment. A pragmatic and context-specific design is therefore favoured over a tightly controlled efficacy trial. Documenting the protocols used to evaluate and implement a complex multi-level co-developed intervention such as SFL helps to inform gender-specific, community-based men’s health promotion and translational research more broadly. Trial registration This study has been retrospectively registered with the ‘International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number’ registry (ISRCTN79921361) as of the 5th of March 2021. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10823-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling McGrath
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Waterford Institute of Technology Ireland, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Niamh Murphy
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Waterford Institute of Technology Ireland, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Noel Richardson
- National Centre for Men's Health, Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow, Ireland.
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