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Meaning-Centered Men’s Groups (MCMG) for the Transition to Retirement

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A Positive Psychological Approach to Suicide

Part of the book series: Advances in Mental Health and Addiction ((AMHA))

Abstract

Older men have the highest rates of suicide worldwide and use highly lethal means of self-harm; however, effective interventions are lacking that reduce suicide risk in this rapidly growing demographic. (The Oxford handbook of behavioral emergencies and crises (Chapter 22), Oxford University Press, Oxford, 335–359, 2016). In this chapter, we describe an ongoing study involving the development and initial delivery, evaluation, and dissemination of a positive psychological intervention designed to enhance psychological well-being and reduce suicide risk among men facing the transition to retirement. (Logotherapy and existential analysis: Proceedings of the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna 1, Springer International, Cham, 165–173, 2016). We outline the rationale and methodology of this study, provide theoretical background and a general overview of Meaning-Centered Men’s Groups (MCMG), our 12-session community-based psychosocial groups, and share preliminary findings regarding the acceptability and tolerability of this novel intervention. We then discuss these findings in the context of our experiences coordinating psychosocial groups to help men transition successfully to retirement and suggest the relevance of meaning-centered approaches in helping to promote mental health and well-being and prevent suicide in later life.

The Meaning-Centered Men’s Group Project Team also includes: Co-Investigators: Ross M. G. Norman, Ph.D., C.Psych. (UWO), Paul S. Links, M.D., FRCP(C) (UWO; McMaster University), Sharon L. Moore, Ph.D., R.N., R.Psych. (Athabasca University), Gordon L. Flett, Ph.D. (York University), Sisira Sarma, Ph.D. (UWO), Norm O’Rourke, Ph.D., R.Psych. (Ben-Gurion University), and Rahel Eynan, Ph.D. (UWO); Collaborators: Kim Wilson, M.S.W., Ph.D. (University of Guelph), and Paul Fairlie, Ph.D. (York University); Community Partners: Third Age Outreach-St. Joseph’s Health Care, London (Beverly Farrell, R/TRO), Kiwanis and Hamilton Road Seniors and Community Centre City of London, and the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (David Conn, M.D., FRCP(C)), and the Centre for Suicide Prevention (Mara Grunau, M.A.; Robert Olson, B.A., M.L.I.S.).

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was generously provided by a Men’s Mental Health grant (MH#007) from the Movember Foundation Canada. Professor Flett holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Personality and Health.

We greatly appreciate the assistance and contributions of our colleagues, collaborators, trainees, and research assistants on this project. Sincere thanks to all of our study participants.

Previous versions of this chapter were presented at meetings of scientific societies focusing on aging, mental health, and suicide prevention, including the American Association of Suicidology, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention/International Academy for Suicide Research, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, the International Association for Gerontology and Geriatrics, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and the Viktor Frankl Institute of Vienna’s Future of Logotherapy Conference.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, The University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre-Victoria Hospital, London, ON, Canada

    Marnin J. Heisel

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  1. Marnin J. Heisel
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The Meaning-Centered Men’s Group Project Team

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Correspondence to Marnin J. Heisel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA

    Jameson K. Hirsch

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Edward C. Chang

  3. Greenville Hospital System Children’s Hospital, Greenville, SC, USA

    Jessica Kelliher Rabon

Appendix A: MCMG Session-By-Session Overview

Appendix A: MCMG Session-By-Session Overview

Session

Session overview/themes

Pre-group assessments

1

Welcome and introduction to group

Orientation to group format, culture, and expectations

Overview of the purpose of the group and discussion of the role of meaning in life in enhancing mental health and well-being

2

Meaning in Creativity I

Work, career identity, and the role of “being a provider”

3

Meaning in Creativity II

Purposeful activity, feeling productive, and the importance of routine

4

Meaning in Creativity III

Volunteering, mentorship, and other societal contributions

5

Meaning in Creativity IV

Exercise, sport, recreation, art, hobbies, and other leisure activities

6

Meaning in Experiences I

Beauty, music, art, literature, performance, sports, and nature

Mid-group assessments

7

Meaning in Experiences II

Relationships, friendships, business relations, and camaraderie

8

Meaning in Experiences III

Love, significant other/confidant(e), children, extended family, and pets

9

Meaning in Attitudes I

The tragic triad: Pain/suffering, guilt, and death

10

Meaning in Attitudes II

An uplifting triad: Optimism, hope, and joy

11

Meaning in life and generativity

What is my legacy? How will I be remembered? What have I contributed?

How can I still make a meaningful and purposeful contribution?

12

Wrap-up, lessons learned, and next steps a

Post-group assessments

  1. aAs co-creators of the group experience, group members will together determine the group’s next steps

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Heisel, M.J., The Meaning-Centered Men’s Group Project Team. (2018). Meaning-Centered Men’s Groups (MCMG) for the Transition to Retirement. In: Hirsch, J., Chang, E., Kelliher Rabon, J. (eds) A Positive Psychological Approach to Suicide . Advances in Mental Health and Addiction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03225-8_10

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