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The experiences of older male adults throughout their involvement in a community programme for men

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 November 2013

KRISTIN A. REYNOLDS ,
COREY S. MACKENZIE ,
MARIA MEDVED  and
KERSTIN ROGER
KRISTIN A. REYNOLDS
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
COREY S. MACKENZIE*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
MARIA MEDVED
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
KERSTIN ROGER
Affiliation:
Department of Family Social Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
*
Address for correspondence: Corey S. Mackenzie, Ph.D., C. Psych Associate Professor, Dept of PsychologyP401 Duff Roblin Bldg, 190 Dysart Road University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaR3T 2N2. E-mail: Corey.Mackenzie@umanitoba.ca
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Abstract

Community programmes have been shown to provide social and emotional benefits for older adults. The vast majority of community programmes for older adults are either mixed-sex or female-oriented in their activities and composition. As such, there is a scarcity of both opportunities for, and research focusing on older male adults’ participation in community programmes geared towards men. The present study describes the experiences of older male adults throughout their involvement in a male-oriented community programme. Participants described their involvement in the community programme on the basis of their characteristics and experiences that preceded their involvement, the characteristics of their current involvement, and aspects of the programme and their participation that promoted their continued involvement. The findings of this study have potential utility for community organisations aiming to increase the involvement of older men in their programmes. Furthermore, the findings indicate that community programme participation has the potential to promote social engagement and healthy, active ageing among older men.

Keywords

older male adultscommunity programmesMen's Shedsmasculinitysocial connectionsocial engagementactive ageinggrounded theory
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 35 , Issue 3 , March 2015 , pp. 531 - 551
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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