In most countries, men significantly differ from women in terms of life expectancy, morbidity, and health-related behaviour [1]. In Germany, the life expectancy of men at birth, for instance, is five years lower than that of women [2]. Gender differences can also be observed in participation in health promotion and prevention programs. Although men are exposed to greater health risks than women, they are less likely to participate in such interventions [3]. This has been attributed to a low level of acceptance as well as the absence of male-oriented communication strategies to adequately address this specific target group [3–5]. Additionally, there is a lack of men-specific interventions to promote health [6].
Men’s sheds are a concept of community-based health promotion for older men, originally developed in Australia. A men’s shed is a non-profit communal institution for men where they can engage in joint activities. They are predominantly set up as easy-to-access public organisations. The range of activities and general conditions differ from shed to shed. However, repairs and woodwork are central, especially for social and charitable purposes [6]. The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) has defined improving well-being and health as major aims of men’s sheds [7].
Previous studies found that older men have an increased risk of social isolation [8]. Due to its negative effects on mental and physical health, interventions should focus on strengthening the social relationships and integration [9]. Since men’s sheds provide various opportunities to socialise and therefore decrease the risk of social isolation, they can make a substantial contribution to existing health promotion concepts [10, 11]. The shoulder-to-shoulder communication in a supportive environment also enables men to talk about sensitive and shameful topics, including diseases or symptoms [10]. Thus, men’s sheds are a valuable intervention to increase the health literacy of the participating men. Beyond that, men’s sheds are often accompanied by specific events concerning health-related topics, such as diabetes or Alzheimer’s. AMSA, for instance, has designed a specific health program, which aims to encourage older men to participate in prevention programs as well as to raise awareness regarding their individual health by using a gender- and age-specific approach [12].
Prior research revealed various health-related effects of community-based men’s sheds. Milligan et al. (2013), for example, identified positive impacts on social isolation and psychological well-being of older men participating in men’s sheds [13]. Yet, only two reviews are available which both found an insufficient evidence base regarding this topic [11, 13]. Since the wider implementation of men’s sheds is a recent phenomenon, most of the literature on men’s sheds has been published after 2013 and therefore was not included in these two reviews. A first non-systematic search also showed that studies assigned to a higher degree of evidence were rather published after 2013. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the current evidence base, a mixed-methods systematic review which includes both quantitative and qualitative studies is required.
Objective and research questions
The aim of this research project is to strengthen the evidence base of men’s sheds by analysing their effectiveness and to gather sufficient information regarding a successful implementation of men’s sheds in Germany. It will be guided by the following main research question:
What is the scientific evidence for the impact of the effects of community-based men’s sheds on a) self-rated health, b) subjective well-being, and c) social isolation of older men aged 50 years and older in comparison to men who don’t participate in men’s sheds?
Since there is little practical experience with the implementation of community-based men’s sheds in Germany, additional findings regarding a possible transfer of the concept will be included. Therefore, the systematic review also aims to answer the following further research questions:
Which subgroups of older men participate in men’s sheds or their individual components and which do not?
What general conditions (e.g. opening hours) exist and what influence do they have on participation? Which potentially undesirable effects are reported and how can they be prevented?
What are the characteristics of a successful men’s shed in terms of participation and sustainability? Are they, for instance, equally successful in urban and rural areas?