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

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 1455-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terrance Cox ◽  
Ha Hoang ◽  
Tony Barnett ◽  
Merylin Cross

AbstractMen'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.

VASA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic Baumann ◽  
Deborah Hehli ◽  
Vladimir Makaloski ◽  
Martin Schumacher ◽  
Heinz Schönhofen ◽  
...  

Abstract. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an evolving health problem with growing incidence in the ageing male population with potentially predictive value for cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. ED shares the common cardiovascular risk factors. The aetiology of ED is numerous including neurogenic, psychogenic, arteriogenic, and venogenic reasons. The origin of arteriogenic ED is frequently atherosclerosis. Patients not adequately responding to conservative measures including oral medication are often referred to further vascular diagnostics and therapy. At present, the refinements in endovascular therapy allow for minimal-invasive revascularization of erection-related arteries. The role of endovascular therapy in the complex framework of the multifactorial causes of ED requires further scientific scrutiny.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Nadina R Luca ◽  
Marsha Smith ◽  
Sally Hibbert

‘Social eating initiatives’ are a specific type of community-based food service that provides opportunities for people to eat together in local spaces using surplus food. These initiatives provide a meal that is fresh, affordable and more environmentally friendly than fast or convenience foods. In this research, we build upon the food well-being model to explore how food consumption is experienced in these community settings and the role of social eating projects in shaping the different dimensions of people’s foodscapes. We adopted a community-based participatory approach and engaged in a series of dialogues with staff volunteers and coordinators at four ‘social eating initiatives’. We also conducted 45 interviews with service users and volunteers at three sites in the Midlands region.   The role of community-based food initiatives responding to hunger by utilising surplus food to feed local populations is often conceptualised critically. The conjoining of food insecurity and surplus food appears to instrumentally feed customers and reduce food wastage, but in ways that are stigmatising, and which position customers as passive recipients of food charity. However, closer attention to the experiences of staff, volunteers and customers at these spaces, reveals them as sites where knowledge and experience of food is being developed with this contributing to a sense of well-being beyond nutrition. Shared food practices and eating together contribute to social capital and are important dimensions of food well-being that are significantly restricted by food insecurity. The ‘food well-being’ model envisages a shift in focus from health, defined as the absence of illness, towards well-being as a positive relationship with food at the individual and societal level. In the concluding remarks of this article, it is suggested that this holistic conception is required to understand the role and function of social eating initiatives.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8721
Author(s):  
Tigran Keryan ◽  
Andreas Muhar ◽  
Tamara Mitrofanenko ◽  
Ashot Khoetsyan ◽  
Verena Radinger-Peer

The concept of transdisciplinarity (TD) has been introduced to find solutions for complex sustainability challenges via knowledge co-production by scientists and societal actors. The understanding of the societal role of universities is a critical factor when implementing transdisciplinarity in the academic systems of Post-Soviet countries, given their historic development. Using Armenia as a case, we adopted a qualitative research approach by analyzing legal documents, conducting semi-structured expert interviews and focus group discussions with a range of stakeholders. We identified discrepancies of expectations between stakeholders as challenges for a joint understanding of the societal role of universities, as well as differently perceived competences and motivations, which can lead to trust deficits. The results are discussed according to four main features of transdisciplinarity: focusing on real-life problems, transcending and integrating disciplinary paradigms, ensuring participatory research and teaching, and searching for unity of knowledge beyond disciplines. Findings show that no formal obstacles exist for implementing transdisciplinarity in two Armenian universities and that the societal understanding of the role of universities could be expanded. Yet, while society is in principle ready for collaboration, the initiative is expected to come from academia. A particular responsibility will lie with teachers from the younger generation to become key-agents for change.


2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Holkup ◽  
Emily Matt Salois ◽  
Toni Tripp-Reimer ◽  
Clarann Weinert

Abstract Purpose: The Family Care Conference (FCC) is an elder-focused, family-centered, community-based intervention for the prevention and mitigation of elder abuse. It is based on a family conference intervention developed by the Maori people of New Zealand, who determined that Western European ways of working with child welfare issues were undermining such family values as the definition and meaning of family, the importance of spirituality, the use of ritual, and the value of noninterference. The FCC provides the opportunity for family members to come together to discuss and develop a plan for the well-being of their elders. Design and Methods: Using a community-based participatory research approach, investigators piloted and implemented the FCC in one northwestern Native American community. The delivery of the FCC intervention has grown from having been introduced and facilitated by the researchers, to training community members to facilitate the family meetings, to becoming incorporated into a Tribal agency, which will oversee the implementation of the FCC. Results: To date, families have accepted and appreciated the FCC intervention. The constructive approach of the FCC process helps to bring focus to families' concerns and aligns their efforts toward positive action.Implications:The strength-based FCC provides a culturally anchored and individualized means of identifying frail Native American elders' needs and finding solutions from family and available community resources.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-109
Author(s):  
Fauzi Fauzi

This research aimed in describing and reconstructing the existence of Cim-ciman as traditional child game, and also on founding the substance role of, in developing and constructing the character of child in early age. This research conducted in the district of Banyumas in Central Java and used qualitative research approach. Data collection used participation observation technique which is supported by observation sheet as observation focus standard. The data was analysed through Miles and Huberman model of qualitative analysis technique. The result showed that the game of Cim-ciman can be applied on practicing and stimulating child development in various aspect as holistic and integrative point of view, either motoric physical aspect, language, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral. Besides that, it can be used in growing and forming cultural values and constructing child character, for example, honesty, discipline, creativity, integrity, responsibility, social solidarity, hard work, spirit, achievement appreciation, friendship or communication, peace keeping, and dialogue. In this case, the reconstruction and revitalization of child traditional game (dolanan for child), that are spread in all parts of Indonesia with their cultural uniqueness,are needed, and then to be made as early education menu.


2020 ◽  
pp. 137-149
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Szewior

The author focuses on the manner and effects of German higher education reforms that have changed the model of university management. The point of reference is the quality of education and its role, how universities ensure it, and how it is verified through evaluation and accreditation. These elements divide the article into two parts: a part about quality and a part about evaluation and accreditation. The analysis includes the impact of global processes and Europeanization. The research approach is characteristic for public policies, sciences of management and quality. The theories used in this article: the theory of systems and neo-institutionalism, as well as perspectives: the university as an active strategic partner, entrepreneurial university, the third role of universities. The publication is based on desk research and on the analysis of processes.


Postcolonial studies, postmodern studies, even posthuman studies emerge, and intellectuals demand that social sciences be remade to address fundamentals of the human condition, from human rights to global environmental crises. Since these fields owe so much to American state sponsorship, is it easier to reimagine the human and the modern than to properly measure the pervasive American influence? Reconsidering American Power offers trenchant studies by renowned scholars who reassess the role of the social sciences in the construction and upkeep of the Pax Americana and the influence of Pax Americana on the social sciences. With the thematic image for this enterprise as the ‘fiery hunt’ for Ahab’s whale, the contributors pursue realities behind the theories, and reconsider the real origins and motives of their fields with an eye on what will deter or repurpose the ‘fiery hunts’ to come, by offering a critical insider’s view.


Author(s):  
Swayamdipta Bhaduri ◽  
Pankaj Sahu ◽  
Siddhartha Das ◽  
Aloke Kumar ◽  
Sushanta K. Mitra

The phenomenon of capillary imbibition through porous media is important both due to its applications in several disciplines as well as the involved fundamental flow physics in micro-nanoscales. In the present study, where a simple paper strip plays the role of a porous medium, we observe an extremely interesting and non-intuitive wicking or imbibition dynamics, through which we can separate water and dye particles by allowing the paper strip to come in contact with a dye solution. This result is extremely significant in the context of understanding paper-based microfluidics, and the manner in which the fundamental understanding of the capillary imbibition phenomenon in a porous medium can be used to devise a paper-based microfluidic separator.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096366252110206
Author(s):  
Lyn M. van Swol ◽  
Emma Frances Bloomfield ◽  
Chen-Ting Chang ◽  
Stephanie Willes

This study examined if creating intimacy in a group discussion is more effective toward reaching consensus about climate change than a focus on information. Participants were randomly assigned to either a group that spent the first part of an online discussion engaging in self-disclosure and focusing on shared values (intimacy condition) or discussing information from an article about climate change (information condition). Afterward, all groups were given the same instructions to try to come to group consensus on their opinions about climate change. Participants in the intimacy condition had higher ratings of social cohesion, group attraction, task interdependence, and collective engagement and lower ratings of ostracism than the information condition. Intimacy groups were more likely to reach consensus, with ostracism and the emotional tone of discussion mediating this effect. Participants were more likely to change their opinion to reflect that climate change is real in the intimacy than information condition.


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