Men's Perceptions of a Gender-Tailored eHealth Program Targeting Physical and Mental Health: Qualitative Findings
Ryan J Drew1, Philip J Morgan1, Frances Kay-Lambkin2
1School of Education, College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
Insights
Men found the gender-tailored SHED-IT: Recharge eHealth program acceptable for managing depression and obesity. The program offered a unique opportunity for sustained lifestyle changes, with suggestions for enhanced accountability.
Area of Science:
- Men's Health
- Mental Health Interventions
- Obesity Management
Background:
- Co-occurring depression and obesity are rising, yet few interventions address both, especially in men.
- The SHED-IT: Recharge trial investigated a gender-tailored eHealth program for men with depressive symptoms and overweight/obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore men's perceptions of the SHED-IT: Recharge intervention regarding recruitment, satisfaction, and improvement suggestions.
- To gather qualitative insights into the acceptability and effectiveness of integrated lifestyle and mental health support for men.
Main Methods:
- Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample (n=19) of male participants.
- Interviews were stratified by baseline depression and weight status.
- Transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
Main Results:
- Four key themes emerged: enrollment motivation, unique opportunity for change, program element salience, and accountability for sustained focus.
- Men reported satisfaction with the gender-tailored, self-directed lifestyle intervention with mental health support.
Conclusions:
- Gender-tailored, self-directed eHealth lifestyle interventions with mental health support are acceptable and satisfying for men.
- Findings inform the development of future self-guided interventions for men with comorbid physical and mental health conditions.
Abstract:
Despite increasing rates of co-morbid depression and obesity, few interventions target both conditions simultaneously, particularly in men. The SHED-IT: Recharge trial, conducted in 125 men with depressive symptoms and overweight or obesity, tested the efficacy of a gender-tailored eHealth program with integrated mental health support. The aims of this study were to examine the perceptions of men who received the SHED-IT: Recharge intervention in relation to recruitment, satisfaction with the program, and suggestions to improve the program. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted in a random sub-sample, stratified by baseline depression and weight status (n = 19, mean (SD) age 49.6 years (11.6), PHQ-9 score 9.0 (3.7), BMI 32.5 kg/m2 (4.6)). Transcripts were analyzed using an inductive process by an independent qualitative researcher. Four themes emerged, namely, (i) specific circumstances determined men's motivation to enroll, (ii) unique opportunity to implement sustained physical and mental health changes compared to previous experiences, (iii) salience of the program elements, and (iv) further opportunities that build accountability could help maintain focus. Gender-tailored, self-directed lifestyle interventions incorporating mental health support are acceptable and satisfying for men experiencing depressive symptoms. These findings provide important insights for future self-guided lifestyle interventions for men with poor physical and mental health.
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