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Physical, mental, and social wellbeing and their association with death by suicide and self‐harm in older adults: a community‐based cohort study
- Authors:
- ERLANGSEN Annette, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 36(5), 2021, pp.647-656.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: To assess associations between physical, mental, and social well‐being and suicide and self‐harm in a community‐based sample of older adults. Methods: Using a cohort design, questionnaire data from 102,880 individuals aged 65 years or older living in New South Wales, Australia during 2006–2009 were linked to hospital and cause‐of‐death databases until 2017. Poisson regressions obtained adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Results: One hundred nine suicides and 191 deliberate self‐harm (DSH) events occurred. Compared to those reporting excellent/good overall health, older adults reporting fair overall health had higher suicide rates (IRR = 2.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.8–4.4). Also, suffering from physical limitations was associated with higher rates of suicide. A fair versus excellent/good memory was associated with higher rates of suicide (IRR = 2.0, 1.3–3.3). Male erectile dysfunction was linked to self‐harm (IRR = 2.8, 1.0–7.7). Suicide rates were elevated with baseline Kessler‐10 scores of 20–50 versus 10–15 (IRR = 5.0, 2.9–8.9); the corresponding IRR for DSH was 2.9 (1.8–4.8). Elevated rates were observed for both self‐reported depression and anxiety. Poor versus excellent/good quality of life was associated with suicide (IRR = 4.3, 1.7–10.7) and achieving less than desired to due to emotional problems was linked to self‐harm (IRR = 1.8 1.3–2.4). Rates of suicide and DSH were lower in those with ≥5 people to depend on versus one (suicide: IRR = 0.5, 0.3–0.9; DSH: IRR = 0.5, 0.3–0.7). Conclusions: Older adults experiencing health problems, including those relating to overall health or memory, and those with psychological distress had elevated rates of suicidal behavior. Rates of subsequent self‐harm and/or death by suicide were elevated in participants with small social networks. (Edited publisher abstract)
Gender differences in the effect of social resources and social status on the retirement satisfaction and health of retirees
- Authors:
- WANG Yihan, MATZ-COSTA Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 62(1), 2019, pp.86-107.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study explores the effect of positive and negative social support, social reciprocity, and subjective social status on the retirement satisfaction and health of retirees and gender differences therein. Using cross-sectional data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), the authors found that social support seems to matter more for the retirement satisfaction and health of women, while social reciprocity matters more for the health of men and subjective social status for the retirement satisfaction of men. Implications for the development of social programmes and policies over the life course are discussed. (Publisher abstract)
The shed effect: stories from shedders in Scotland
- Author:
- AGE SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Age Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 32
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This report outlines the positive impact that the growing men’s shed movement is having on later life, and how it is improving men’s health and wellbeing. It gathered individual stories, experiences and observations from 8 men’s sheds, recording 30 individual conversations with shedders, to find out why sheds work for them. It also held 2 conversations with shed supporters. Using direct quotations from the conversations, the report looks at the following themes: how people got involved in their shed; what makes the shed work for them; the importance of sheds as a place to develop new skills and knowledge; the social, health and welfare benefits – including the development of friendships and reduction in loneliness and social isolation; and the positive impact on communities, such as helping other community groups and promoting connections between the generations. The personal stories may be helpful in promoting the benefits of sheds other men and other communities, raising awareness of the shed movement amongst the general public, and providing funders and policy makers with a better understanding of the importance of men’s sheds’ importance, and of why they should continue to value and support them. (Edited publisher abstract)
Unforgiveness, depression, and health in later life: the protective factor of forgivingness
- Authors:
- ERMER Ashley E., PROULX Christine M.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 20(10), 2016, pp.1021-1034.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Feeling unforgiven by others has been linked to poor health outcomes. The current study examined whether feeling unforgiven by others is associated with depression and self-rated health among older adults in the United States. The potential moderating roles of forgiving others and self-forgiveness in the association between unforgiveness and both depression and self-rated health was also assessed along with gender differences. Method: Data were drawn from a sample of 1009 adults in Wave 2 of the Religion, Aging, and Health Survey, a national sample of adults aged over 67. Depression was measured using the eight item short form from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. Self-rated health was assessed with a one-item indicator. Results: Analyses indicated that higher levels of self-forgiveness ameliorated the relationship between unforgiveness by others and depression for men and women and higher levels of forgiving others attenuated the association between unforgiveness by others and depression for women. Self-forgiveness was protective of depression for women who reported unforgiveness by others and low levels of forgiving others. Regardless of levels of self-forgiveness, men who were most likely to forgive others experienced a significant association between unforgiveness by others and depression. Neither forgiving others nor the self were significant moderators in the association between unforgiveness and self-rated health. Conclusion: Forgiving others and the self may be protective of well-being when women feel unforgiven by others. These findings have implications for forgiveness intervention programs and contribute to literature pertaining to forgiveness and health in later life. (Publisher abstract)
Older men and social activity: a scoping review of Men's Sheds and other gendered interventions
- Authors:
- MILLIGAN Christine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 36(5), 2016, pp.895-923.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Finding ways of improving the health and wellbeing of older men is an important challenge for public health. This review aimed to assess evidence for the effects of Men's Sheds and other gendered social activities on the health and wellbeing of older men, and to consider their effective components and theoretical frameworks. A scoping review using standardised search criteria and terms identified 31 relevant papers of sufficient quality for inclusion. Analysis was informed by guidance on interpretative and narrative synthesis and a quality assessment tool designed for reviewing disparate data from different disciplines and research paradigms applied. The review found some limited evidence that Men's Sheds and other gendered social activities may have impact on the mental health and wellbeing of older men, but little evidence of the impact on physical health. Qualitative data provided valuable insights into how and why complex psycho-social activities can affect participants, but there was a lack of longitudinal evidence drawing on validated health and wellbeing measures. Key components of successful interventions included accessibility, range of activities, local support and skilled co-ordination. A variety of theoretical frameworks were employed. As yet, there is no conclusive evidence that Men's Sheds and other gendered interventions confer health and wellbeing benefits on older men. Studies in this field to date are few and of variable quality. Larger and more robust mixed-methods studies, including randomised designs, are needed. (Publisher abstract)
Place and wellbeing: shedding light on activity interventions for older men
- Authors:
- MILLIGAN C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(1), 2015, pp.124-149.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Loneliness and social isolation is a growing issue for many older men living alone, one that has been associated with elevated blood pressure, poor physical health, increased mortality and mental ill-health, including depression, suicide and dementia. Whilst inclusionary social spaces and supportive social ties can be important for enhancing physical and mental wellbeing amongst older people, evidence suggests that lone-dwelling older men can experience greater difficulty in accessing effective social support, relative to older women. This paper draws on research with a 'Men in Sheds' pilot programme in the United Kingdom, to illustrate how everyday spaces within local communities might be designed to both promote and maintain the health and wellbeing of older men. It offer insights into how Sheds, as created and gendered spaces, may not only engage older men in ways that help to maintain their perceived health and wellbeing, but also provide sites within which older men can perform and reaffirm their masculinity. (Edited publisher abstract)
Men's sheds and other gendered interventions for older men: improving health and wellbeing through social activity. A systematic review and scoping of the evidence base: a report for the Liverpool-Lancaster Collaborative (LiLaC) and Age UK
- Authors:
- MILLIGAN Christine, et al
- Publishers:
- National Institute for Health Research. School for Public Health Research, Lancaster University. Centre for Ageing Research
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 19
- Place of publication:
- Lancaster
The potential for sheds to contribute to health and wellbeing has been acknowledged in recent health policy documents in Australia and Ireland. This short report draws on the outcomes of two systematic reviews, one on Men in Sheds literatures and one on Other Gendered Interventions. The systematic reviews aimed to provide a summary of the evidence for the effectiveness of sheds and other gendered social activity interventions for older men at influencing health and wellbeing amongst older men, including differential outcomes by socioeconomic status and for black and minority ethnic groups. For the Men in Sheds review, 72 papers were identified as being of potential relevance. 14 studies were selected; apart from 2 UK and1 Canadian all the other studies were conducted in Australia. In 12 of the studies, the benefit of attending Men’s Sheds was reported to have a direct and/or indirect positive impact on the men’s physical and mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing. For the other Gendered Interventions for Older Men (defined as being aged over 50), 224 papers were identified as being of potential relevance, from which 11, including 4 UK studies, were selected. There was very limited evidence on positive physical and/or mental health, though there was some evidence on the benefical effects on social wellbeing. A cross review synthesis notes a few common descriptive themes from the two reviews. The report draws on independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)’s School for Public Health Research (SPHR) through the Liverpool-Lancaster Collaboration (LiLaC). (Original abstract)
Wellbeing through woodwork
- Author:
- McMILLAN Ian A.
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, September 2011, pp.12-13.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
This article describes the development of the ‘Men in Sheds’ project, which Age UK Cheshire launched in pilot form in early 2009 in the village of Hartford, near Northwich. Thanks to a 3-year £493,000 Big Lottery fund grant, 3 new projects opened early in 2011 in Chester, Crewe, and Ellesmere Port, and others outside of Cheshire are in the pipeline. The project is aimed at isolated older men, a section of the population that often misses out when daytime activities in the community are planned. It was prompted by the realisation that many lifelong learning classes aimed at older people are women-dominated. The project aims to help men meet up and socialise in an informal atmosphere. Activities vary according to the men’s inclinations, and have included renovating a canal narrowboat and making a telephone box for a children’s nursery. Although the focus is not specifically on dealing with mental health problems, a number of the members do have a mental health diagnosis such as long-term depression.
Wardrobe malfunction: case studies of disability and clothing at the threshold of older adulthood
- Author:
- KABEL Allison
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 29(6), 2019, pp.731-743.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a lifelong debilitating condition that presents numerous challenges to social participation. The challenge of finding suitable and functional clothing while living with SCI is one of the frequently overlooked factors hindering attempts at meaningful engagement in social and community life. Two case studies were collected over a period of 4 months through a qualitative interview. Both participants were ageing with, and living with long-term spinal compromised conditions and described the relevance of ‘off-the-rack’ and adaptive apparel to their overall wellbeing, safety, personal style and identity at the threshold of older adulthood. Participants reported problems with adaptive apparel designed specifically for people living with disabilities and also reported problems with off-the-rack clothing that failed to meet needs for durability, comfort, safety, and style. Findings revealed that embodied knowledge was key to the apparel choices regarding function and standards of social acceptability. Implications for social workers and health professionals encourage the acknowledgment of apparel-related issues to meet the standards of client-centred care. Apparel plays a vital role in achieving and maintaining one’s identity as a social person, and should not be overlooked for people ageing with disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)