Facilitating Social Networks among Gay Men

2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 89-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Cant
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Prevention Services ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Asian Men ◽  
Health And Well Being

Social networks are increasingly recognised as being beneficial to health and wellbeing. This paper, drawing from a qualitative study into health services targeted at gay men in London, explores the facilitation by service providers of social networks among gay men. Networks are dependent upon reciprocity among their participants and the study examines how shared narratives can generate a sense of the reciprocity that contributes to the development of networks. The networks discussed here promote instrumental support or communication or emotional well-being or a combination of those. The paper explores the diversity of narratives among the thirty eight gay male service users who were informants to this study. While narratives around experiencing same sex desire, encountering social isolation and making decisions about coming out were articulated by all these informants, there were other organising principles in their lives which also shaped their narratives and their decisions about whom they shared these narratives with. The paper focuses on the development of social networks among three groups of gay men: young South Asian men accessing HIV prevention services, men seeking to give up smoking in relation to their experiences in the commercial venues which constitute the gay scene and carers of gay men and lesbians suffering from a chronic disease. The paper seeks to generate opportunities for reflection about the means to promote health and well-being among members of this marginalised population group.

scholarly journals Boosting urban health and well-being through cross-sectoral cooperation

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Liinamo ◽  
K Matinheikki-Kokko ◽  
I Gobina ◽  
A Villeruša
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract In the future, health promotion would require developed strategies that lead to stronger cross-sectoral cooperation. Cross-sectoral cooperation enables the integration of fragmented resources and competencies, which benefit service solutions for urban health. Healthy Boost “Urban Labs for Better Health for All in the Baltic Sea Region”, funded by the EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region -program, aims to develop the Model for cross-sectoral cooperation, which will be tested in the cities of the Baltic Sea Region during 2020-21. The self-assessment tool for cross-sectoral cooperation was developed, and the self-assessment among the nine cities in seven countries from the Baltic Sea Region was conducted in 2019. The results indicated to what extent the staff (n = 329) in the cities have recognized the cross-sectoral cooperation for health and wellbeing as strategically crucial in their policies, communication, and in the design of their organizational functions. The daily practices were evaluated in terms of how systematically cities have implemented cross-sector actions for health and wellbeing. The biggest challenges for cooperating across sectors for the cities were coordination and systematic identification of the community needs for health promotion. The cooperative actions were less systematic than expected in the strategic approach. The variation among respondents' assessments was high within the cities that lead to a conclusion about existing gaps in coordination, communication, and leadership of cross-sectoral work within the cities. The Likert type self-assessment measurement was statistically reliable in both strategic and operational dimensions of cooperation. Key messages Evaluation and measurements are needed to identify cross-sectoral actions to health and well-being. The evidence-based Model developed in the Healthy Boost project will guide partners towards systematic cross-sectoral cooperation processes.

scholarly journals SOCIAL NETWORKS, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S71-S71
Author(s):  
Eleanor S McConnell ◽  
Kirsten Corazzini ◽  
T Robert Konrad
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sensor Technology ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Although the impact of dementia on the health and well-being of those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related Disorders (ADRD) and their care partners has been widely studied, less attention has been paid to how the disease impacts individuals within the context of their larger social networks. This symposium presents findings from a series of integrated studies aimed at strengthening measurement of health and well-being among older adults with living with dementia and well-being among members of their social networks. Findings will be presented from five studies: (1) a scoping review of social network measurement in older adults in chronic illness, including dementia, that emphasizes the use of technology in measuring older adults’ social networks; (2) a simulation study to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of sensor technology to measure social interaction among a person living with dementia and others in their immediate surroundings; (3) development of a web-based application that allows older adults to map and activate their social networks; (4) a qualitative analysis of interviews from persons living with dementia, their unpaid caregivers, and paid caregivers from an adult day health program concerning well-being focused outcomes; and (5) a mixed methods analysis of the feasibility of using both traditional and novel measures of health and well-being deployed among networks of people living with dementia. Emerging technologies for measuring social networks health and well-being hold promise for advancing the study of the relationship-based nature of care for people living with dementia.

scholarly journals Identifying and overcoming barriers to healthier lives

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riz Firestone ◽  
Tevita Funaki ◽  
Sally Dalhousie ◽  
Akarere Henry ◽  
Mereaumate Vano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Healthier Living ◽  
Sociocultural Experiences ◽  
Diet And Lifestyle ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Improve Health

Understanding the key determinants of health from a community perspective is essential to address and improve the health and wellbeing of its members.  This qualitative study aimed to explore and better understand New Zealand-based Pasifika communities’ sociocultural experiences and knowledge of health and wellbeing. Fifty-seven participants were involved in six separate focus groups. Community coordinators co-facilitated and transcribed the discussions and conducted thematic analysis. The findings suggested two overarching themes: (1) ‘Pasifika experiences on poor health and well-being’: were based on sub-themes: (i) ‘recognisable issues’ (e.g., poor diet and lifestyle behaviours); (ii) ‘systemic issues’ that support the perpetual health issues (e.g., lack of knowledge and education) and; (iii) ‘profound issues’ that are often unspoken of and create long-term barriers (e.g., cultural lifestyle and responsibilities).  (2) ‘Hopes and dreams’ to improve health and well-being requires: (i) a family-centric approach to health; (ii) tackling systemic barriers; and (iii) addressing community social justice issues.  This study provides deepened insights on Pasifika communities’ understanding healthier living in the context of their cultural environment and family responsibilities. If we are to develop effective, sustainable programmes that prioritises health and well-being based on the needs of Pasifika communities, the findings from this study highlight their needs as step forward in overcoming barriers to healthier lives.

Telling

Out in Time ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 67-90
Author(s):  
Perry N. Halkitis
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Life Stories ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Critical Life Events ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
The Impact

Gay men experience the process of coming out to various groups of individuals, in myriad contexts, and throughout the course of their lives. For many gay men, telling one’s parents and families represents the most significant act of disclosure. Methods used for coming out to parents, circumstances by which the men came out, and reactions of their families in both the short and long term are explored. A variety of different approaches are evidenced in the life stories. The impact of these critical life events is considered in relation to the well-being and health of each of the men. Coming out to parents and family is challenging in every generation, but the circumstances related to coming out are influenced and shaped by both the sociopolitical contexts of the time and the crisis of each generation.

scholarly journals Impacts of extreme weather on the health and well-being of people who are homeless

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine G. A. Pendrey ◽  
Marion Carey ◽  
Janet Stanley
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Extreme Weather ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Expected Increase

This letter responds to the article by Cusack et al., ‘Extreme weather-related health needs of people who are homeless’ (Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2013, 19(3), 250–255), which addressed the impacts of extreme weather on the health of the homeless population in inner city Adelaide. We compare the findings of Cusack et al. to our own original research, based on interviews with service providers to the homeless in urban and rural Victoria. We further place this issue in the broader context of climate change, which is crucial given the expected increase in extreme weather events and associated health impacts.

scholarly journals Gay and Lesbian Experiences of Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mason Garrison ◽  
Michael J. Doane ◽  
Marta Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Daily Diary Study ◽  
Minority Stress Model ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Fast Acting ◽  
Health And Well Being

Sexual minorities have poorer mental and physical health than heterosexuals; these health disparities are consistently attributed to discrimination. However, the mechanisms linking discrimination with health outcomes remain unclear. This exploratory study examines whether fast-acting mechanisms, like the minority stress model's “stressful social environment[s],” contribute to these disparities by exploiting the unanticipated election of Donald Trump on November 8, 2016. Gay men and lesbians participated in a 10-day longitudinal daily-diary study, beginning the day before the election (November 7–16, 2016). On the day after the election, participants reported immediate changes in health (e.g., depression, Cohen’s d = 1.33; illness, 0.44), well-being (e.g., happiness, −0.91), and discrimination (0.45). The immediacy and magnitude of participants’ responses are consistent with the minority stress model. This study provides a window into the experiences of gay men and lesbians, and illustrates how minority stresses, such as political uncertainty and discrimination, may impact vulnerable sexual minorities.

Health Reform and the Safety Net: Big Opportunities; Major Risks

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Siegel ◽  
Marsha Regenstein ◽  
Peter Shin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Institute Of Medicine ◽  
Health Care Safety Net ◽  
The Many ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Health Care Safety

Millions of Americans are dependent on what is often called the “safety net.” These loosely-organized networks of health and social service providers serve the many Americans who are uninsured, dependent on public coverage, or for a variety of reasons unable to access other private systems of care. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, America’s Health Care Safety Net: Intact but Endangered, called attention to both the fragility and the resilience of this health care safety net. The IOM report underscored the critical importance of the safety net to the health and well-being of millions of individuals and called for efforts to strengthen it and improve the nation’s ability to monitor its viability. Given this central role, any health care reform efforts need to be fully informed by an understanding of what the safety net includes, how it is financed, and how it is responding to a series of challenges it now faces.

scholarly journals Workplace-based interventions to promote healthy lifestyles in the NHS workforce: a rapid scoping and evidence map

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (18) ◽  
pp. 1-82
Author(s):  
Gary Raine ◽  
Sian Thomas ◽  
Mark Rodgers ◽  
Kath Wright ◽  
Alison Eastwood
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Evidence Map ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background The health and well-being of staff working in the NHS is a significant issue for UK health care. We sought to identify research relevant to the promotion of healthy lifestyles among NHS staff on behalf of NHS England. Objectives To map existing reviews on workplace-based interventions to promote health and well-being, and to assess the scope for further evidence synthesis work. Design Rapid and responsive scoping search and evidence map. Participants Adult employees in any occupational setting and in any role. Interventions Any intervention aimed at promoting or maintaining physical or mental health and well-being. Early intervention initiatives and those addressing violence against staff, workplace bullying or harassment were also included. Main outcome measures Any outcome related to the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness or implementation of interventions. Data sources A scoping search of nine databases was conducted to identify systematic reviews on health and well-being at work. Searches were limited by publication date (2000 to January/February 2019). Review methods The titles and abstracts of over 8241 records were screened and a total of 408 potentially relevant publications were identified. Information on key characteristics were extracted from the titles and abstracts of all potentially relevant publications. Descriptive statistics (counts and percentages) for key characteristics were generated and data from reviews and ‘reviews of reviews’ were used to produce the evidence map. Results Evidence related to a broad range of physical and mental health issues was identified across 12 ‘reviews of reviews’ and 312 other reviews, including 16 Cochrane reviews. There also exists National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance addressing multiple issues of potential relevance. A large number of reviews focused on mental health, changing lifestyle behaviour, such as physical activity, or on general workplace health/health promotion. Most of the reviews that focused only on health-care staff addressed mental health issues, and stress/burnout in particular. Limitations The scoping search process was extensive and clearly effective at identifying relevant publications, but the strategy used may not have identified every potentially relevant review. Owing to the large number of potentially relevant reviews identified from the scoping search, it was necessary to produce the evidence map using information from the titles and abstracts of reviews only. Conclusions It is doubtful that further evidence synthesis work at this stage would generate substantial new knowledge, particularly within the context of the NHS Health and Wellbeing Framework[NHS England. Workforce Health and Wellbeing Framework. 2018. URL: www.nhsemployers.org/-/media/Employers/Publications/Health-and-wellbeing/NHS-Workforce-HWB-Framework_updated-July-18.pdf (accessed 10 January 2019)] published in 2018. Additional synthesis work may be useful if it addressed an identifiable need and it was possible to identify one of the following: (1) a specific and focused research question arising from the current evidence map; it may then be appropriate to focus on a smaller number of reviews only, and provide a more thorough and critical assessment of the available evidence; and (2) a specific gap in the literature (i.e. an issue not already addressed by existing reviews or guidance); it may then be possible to undertake further literature searching and conduct a new evidence review. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 8, No. 18. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals The impact on the mental health and well-being of unpaid carers affected by social distancing, self-isolation and shielding during the COVID 19 pandemic in England – a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabo Akafekwa ◽  
Elizabeth Dalgarno ◽  
Arpana Verma
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
List Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The People ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractObjectiveThis study explores the impact of the COVID 19 lockdown measures on the mental health and well-being of unpaid carers, who make up the largest number of the carer population in England.Study designA systematic review research protocol was designed and used to conduct the review along with the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the synthesis of Qualitative Research - ENTREQ statement [43]. Pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used. EndNote X9 reference management was used and the search process was represented using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram [76]. Appraisal of the included research was carried out using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) [57]. Line by line coding was done using inductive thematic synthesis and EPPI Reviewer 4 software [60].ResultsFour themes emerged; immediate worries or fears, adapting to change, post pandemic fears and use of technology.ConclusionThe measures put in place during the first lockdown period have had detrimental impacts on unpaid carers, putting them at greater risk of burnout. However, use of digital platforms could have a positive impact on well-being. Recommendations for further research are provided.What is new?Key findings?Discontinued or reduced access to activities and services during the first lockdown during the pandemic has had a negative impact on both people who require care and their carers.Carers prioritise the mental health and wellbeing needs of the people they care for over their own.Further qualitative research from different groups of carers would be useful to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic measures on unpaid carers.Use of digital technology and digital platforms may be useful tools for carers both during the pandemic and after.What this adds to what is known?There have been very few qualitative studies on the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of unpaid carers, this review has synthesised their findings and will contribute to future research.Unpaid carers are known to be at risk of poor mental health and wellbeing outcomes, this review demonstrates that they are even more at risk due to the increased reliance on them during the pandemic.What is this implication and what should change?There is limited qualitative data available from a range of different groups of carers for example, spouse carers, parent carers, carers of people who have specific needs or conditions. Therefore, purposeful sample research to determine the needs of groups of carers during the COVID 19 pandemic could be valuable.Unpaid carers who do not have appropriate support are more at risk of poor mental health and wellbeing outcomes. During the pandemic services have had to adapt to the various rules implemented. Digital adaptations to the provision of support to both carers and the people they care for could be beneficial both during and after the pandemic.

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