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What men really want: A qualitative investigation of men's health needs from the Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust men's health promotion project
Author(s) -
Coles Rebecca,
Watkins Francine,
Swami Viren,
Jones Susan,
Woolf Susan,
Stanistreet Debbi
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1348/135910710x494583
Subject(s) - health promotion , focus group , psychological intervention , qualitative research , health care , psychology , promotion (chess) , gerontology , public relations , nursing , sociology , medicine , public health , political science , psychiatry , politics , social science , anthropology , law
Objective . Although a number of recent health promotion interventions targeted at men have recognized the plurality of masculinities and adopted multifaceted approaches, in the main there continues to be a reliance on stereotypes of gendered behaviour that focus on hegemonic masculinities and a ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’ approach to health care. The present study sought to overcome this limitation. Design . The present study used a qualitative design, in which data were analysed using framework analysis. Method . A total of 82 middle‐aged and older men, in a socially deprived area of Britain, took part in focus groups about health promotion. Results . Analysis of focus group transcripts revealed four key themes: (1) that the ‘doing’ of gender in relation to health must be seen as contingent and in constant flux; (2) that, despite stereotypes of typical behaviour, men were keen to engage with health care services; (3) that men felt there were a number of barriers to help seeking, but generally welcomed the opportunity to discuss their health care needs, and; (4) that they were keen to see the above themes translated into directed advertising and health information for men. Conclusion . These results have practical implications for the way in which health promotion interventions target men, which we discuss in conclusion.