Citation

Heisel MJ, Moore SL, Flett GL, Norman RMG, Links PS, Eynan R, O'Rourke N, Sarma S, Fairlie P, Wilson K, Farrell B, Grunau M, Olson R, Conn D. Clin. Gerontol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health, Baycrest Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07317115.2019.1666443

PMID

31671031

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the preliminary effectiveness of Meaning-Centered Men's Groups (MCMG), a 12-session existentially-oriented, community-based, psychological group intervention designed to enhance psychological resiliency and prevent the onset or exacerbation of suicide ideation among men who are concerned about or struggling with the transition to retirement.Methods: We recruited 30 men (n= 10 per group), 55 years and older (M= 63.7, SD= 4.1) from community settings to participate in a course of MCMG to be delivered in a community center. Participants completed eligibility, pre-, mid-, and post-group assessments of suicide ideation and psychological risk and resiliency factors.Results: Participants experienced significant increases in attitudinal sources of meaning in life, psychological well-being, life satisfaction, retirement satisfaction, and general health, and decreases in depression, hopelessness, loneliness, and suicide ideation.Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that MCMG is a novel men's mental health intervention that may help to enhance psychological well-being and potentially reduce the severity or prevent the onset of symptoms of depression, hopelessness, and suicide ideation.Clinical Implications: Upstream psychological interventions may serve an important role in mental health promotion and suicide prevention with potentially vulnerable individuals facing challenging life transitions.

Language: en

Keywords

Meaning in life; geropsychology; men’s groups; older adults; psychological resiliency; suicide prevention