Indigenous men's support groups and social and emotional wellbeing: a meta-synthesis of the evidence

Abstract

Indigenous men's support groups are designed to empower men to take greater control and responsibility for their health and wellbeing. They provide health education sessions, counselling, men's health clinics, diversionary programs for men facing criminal charges, cultural activities, drug- and alcohol-free social events, and advocacy for resources. Despite there being approximately 100 such groups across Australia, there is a dearth of literature on their strategies and outcomes. This paper is based on participatory action research involving two north Queensland groups which were the subject of a series of five 'phased' evaluative reports between 2002 and 2007. By applying 'meta-ethnography' to the five studies, we identified four themes which provide new interpretations of the data. Self-reported benefits included improved social and emotional wellbeing, modest lifestyle modifications and willingness to change current notions of 'gendered' roles within the home, such as sharing housework. Our qualitative research to date suggests that through promoting empowerment, wellbeing and social cohesion for men and their families, men's support groups may be saving costs through reduced expenditure on health care, welfare, and criminal justice costs, and higher earnings. Future research needs to demonstrate this empirically.

Insights into the effective management of support groups for Aboriginal Australian women with substance use disorders

“…Similar to other initiatives for indigenous individuals with SUDs (Chenhall, 2007;Stevenson, 1999;Vick et al, 1998), the women's group of this study draws on Aboriginal culture and storytelling to bring about positive change. However, few programs that are embedded in a socio-cultural approach have been systematically evaluated (McCalman et al, 2010). Our study is unique in its analysis of current and optimal approaches to facilitate such an approach.…”

Evaluation of the pilot phase of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Module

“…Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men's groups across Australia (McCalman et al 2010). The vision of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men has been to take responsibility themselves to improve the status of men's health and play their rightful role as leaders, fathers, uncles, husbands and grandfathers (Briscoe 2000).…”

Psychological Benefits and Costs of Participating in Men’s Groups in the Czech Republic

“…for more than a third of respondents. The importance of social relations among the men's group members is mentioned in a study by McCalman et al (2010). "Help in experiencing one's own faith in God" (c) was important for a fifth of respondents and (d) "Broadening of horizons" for 17% of them.…”

“…Their research was conducted using the method of Participatory Action Research that is based on the presumption that chosen members of the group will carry out the research (in this case: two). This study demonstrated the utility of men's groups, which teach their members respect, responsibility and increased wellbeing for themselves and their families (McCalman et al, 2010). Golding, Foley, Brown, and Harvey (2007) investigated senior men's groups in Australia.…”

“…He perceives the main benefit of men's groups to be supporting men to inspect their own inner world (Biddulph, 2010). An Australian meta-analysis by McCalman et al (2010) summarizes the results of six Australian studies from 2002 to 2008 about indigenous men's groups in Australia. The authors researched native Australians' men's groups and their supportive tools.…”