sheds What do we know Research A pproaches Methods Studies Evidence Professor Barry Golding University of Ballarat AMSA Patron Australian Mens Sheds Association Conference Monday 28 November ID: 464737
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Slide1
Researching men’s shedsWhat do we know?
Research A
pproaches
, Methods, Studies, Evidence
Professor Barry Golding, University of
Ballarat, AMSA Patron
Australian Men’s Sheds Association Conference
Monday 28 November
2013, 12.30-1.00pmSlide2
Some research approachesCase studies of individual sheds and/or shedder experiences
Comparative studies
across many sheds, including between nations
The study of particular
phenomena
(
eg
men’s health, wellbeing, learning, depression)
, interviewing and/or surveying shedders
Longitudinal
studies following impact and outcomes over time
Quasi-experimental
studies comparing shedders with non-Shedders.
Narrative or systematic
literature reviews
and
meta-analyses.Slide3
Important starting observationsSome self evident things are very difficult to prove (“
You don
’
t need a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows”
, Bob Dylan)
Some simple, everyday phenomena and outcomes are still unable to be explained in terms of simple, single ‘causes’,
e.g. gravity, poverty, depression)
Research on people and communities (and sheds) that produces ‘certain’, scientific knowledge is limited by ethical and practical considerations.
What we find out depends on how we study it and what assumptions we bring to the ‘problem’.Slide4
A tree (shed) research analogyWhat is a tree’s role? (to photosynthesize, to recycle carbon & nutrients, to complement an ecosystem?)
Which discipline should we use to study it?
(a botanist, forester, conservationist, artist?)
Why should we do the study
? (to prove or confirm a hunch, to make a new breakthrough?)
What level of proof is required, who needs it and for what reasons?
(to decide on a tree’s value, fate or funding?)
Or are we interested instead in the forest?
(and its relationship to other trees, plants, insects,
animals, humans,
etc
)Slide5
Typical Research MethodsInterview Survey
Use of existing statistics
Literature review
Most studies are strengthened, as in building, by triangulation
Who is the research subject? (
shedder, coordinator, community, partner, family?)
W
hat role are we exploring?
(
health, learning, wellbeing, community contribution
etc
?)
From which disciplinary base, on what assumptions, for whom, for what purpose, and for what level of proof?Slide6
Major Shed-Based, Mixed Method (Survey and Interview) Studies
Men’s sheds in Australia: Learning through community contexts (Golding et al., 2007)
cited 47 times, 28 times externally.
Men’s sheds in
Ireland:
Learning through community contexts
(
Carragher
, 2013)
not cited
Men’s sheds in Australia: Effects on physical health and mental well-being
,
Ultrafocus
Report for
beyondblue
, Full report (in preparation, October 2013)Slide7
Some other important shed studiesMen’s sheds: Exploring the evidence base for best practice
Hayes, R. & Williamson, M. (2007) La
T
robe Uni; cited 11 times.
Men’s
sheds: A strategy to improve men’s health
Misan
, G. et al. (2008) Spencer
G
ulf Rural Health School, cited 7 times
Houses and
sheds
in Australia: An
exploration
of the
genesis
and
growth
of
neighbourhood
houses
and
men's sheds
in
community settings
. B
Golding, H Kimberley, A Foley, M Brown - Australian Journal of Adult
Learning, (2008 ) cited 11 times
More than a place to do woodwork: A case study of a community-based men’s shed
Ballinger, M. et al. (2009) cited 17 times
Older men's participation in community‐based men's sheds
programmes
J
Ormsby
, M Stanley, K
Jaworski
- Health & Social Care in
the Community
( 2010) University of South Australia, cited 9 times
The
Taieri
Blokes Shed: An
ethnographic
s
tudy
Sunderland, J. (2013) Masters Thesis (in preparation),
Otago
Polytechnic, Dunedin New Zealand.Slide8
Meta-analysesCritical reviews of all of the literature, biased towards peer refereed publications
A narrative review of men’s sheds literature: reducing social isolation and promoting men’s health
(N. Wilson & R.
Cordier
, 2013,
Health and Social Care in the Community
, 21 (5): 451-463. [University of Sydney and JCU])
Men’s sheds and other gendered interventions for older men: A systematic review and scoping of the evidence base
(C. Milligan,
S.
Dowrick
, et
al., 2013 A Report for the Liverpool- Lancaster Collaborative (
LiLaC
) and Age UK, [Lancaster University, UK])Slide9
Key themes in the researchfrom the UK Lancaster University (2013) review of Millgan et al.
Links between social activity and health and wellbeing
The value of qualitative insights into social capital
Older men and masculinity
Theoretical frameworks (WHO Determinants of Disadvantage & HIMM [Health, Illness, Men and Masculinities])
Differences amongst older men and limited scope for successful interventionsSlide10
Some critiques from a meta-analysisafter Milligan et al (2103 in the UK)
There is as yet no substantive evidence that involvement in men’s sheds has any significant effect on the
health
of older men
The evidence of positive effects on
mental health and wellbeing
is more extensive.
The benefits are particularly for men experiencing social isolation and loneliness
Sheds encourage men of diverse backgrounds, with specific health conditions, and have benefits for caregivers.Slide11
Wilson and Cordier (2013) argue that
“Most of the evidence on health and well-being outcomes[from sheds] is either self report or anecdotal; what research has been conducted is either small scale or focused on men’s learning.”
“The range of variables that might contribute towards best practice in Men’s Sheds has not yet been adequately
conceptualised
, measured, tested or understood.”
“The Men’s Sheds movement is at a crossroads in terms of their wider male health role.”
(
ie
The overt resistance in sheds to foregrounding health as an agent for male health initiatives presents sheds and health departments who might fund them with a conundrum)Slide12
Need for new researchafter Milligan et al. (2013) UK review
Good quality res
earch for potential funders and guidance for good practice.
Research on
gendered intervent
ions, particularly through men’s sheds for older men.
Research that brings together separate theories of
masculinity
and
social isolation.
Longitudinal
and
comparative
studies.
Mixed method
studies with
validated survey tools.Slide13
Some New Findings (Synthesis from DRAFT findings of the Australian beyondblue Oct 2013 study)
Men’s sheds are a positive experience overall for
members.
Significant life events often lead to membership, giving men a chance to give back, enhance self esteem and
confidence.
Men’s sheds are ideally placed to reach some priority demographics for health intervention (regional, low SES
).
There are clear health benefits to sheds,
mainly
through improved social
connectedness.
A
wareness of mental health issues is improved through
sheds.
The self-directed nature of sheds appeals to members, who are open to new relationships and information in authentic and accepting masculine
contexts.Slide14
A shedder says how simple it is …“Long may the shed continue. I live alone. I meet blokes, I make things, the Shed makes it for me” Graves, K. (2001)
Shedding the light on men’s sheds
, City of
Bendigo
)