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Older Aboriginal men creating a therapeutic Men's Shed: an exploratory study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2019

Terrance Cox ,
Ha Hoang ,
Tony Barnett  and
Merylin Cross
Terrance Cox*
Affiliation:
Centre for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Ha Hoang
Affiliation:
Centre for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Tony Barnett
Affiliation:
Centre for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Merylin Cross
Affiliation:
Centre for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: Terrance.Cox@utas.edu.au
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Abstract

Men's Sheds are entrenched throughout Australian and international communities due to their popularity in attracting mainly older men to come together and undertake various social and workshop activities. A growing body of research has emerged where men associate regular Shed participation with improved social, emotional and physical wellbeing. However, few studies have examined Aboriginal men's engagement in Men's Sheds. This article reports on a study that investigated how a cohort of older Aboriginal men from one rural Tasmanian community consider the benefits of engaging in their local Shed. A community-based participatory research approach was developed in consultation with Aboriginal community leaders to ensure the study supported the community's expectations. Interview data from ten Aboriginal men combine to represent the Shed environment as an enabling therapeutic landscape, with key themes represented as domains of belonging, hope, mentoring and shared illness experiences. Shed activities were premised on these men co-creating an informal, culturally safe and male-friendly community environment to enjoy the company of other men. The created Shed environment was mutually beneficial as the participants reported improved wellbeing despite living with the effects of declining health and ageing. The findings inform Aboriginal communities and health-care stakeholders to consider the unique role of Men's Sheds for enhancing the health of an ageing male population.

Keywords

Aboriginal healthMen's Shedsageingtherapeutic landscape
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 40 , Issue 7 , July 2020 , pp. 1455 - 1468
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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