Work

Mechanisms of change in a gender-sensitized health intervention: the mediating role of health self-efficacy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Men's lower life expectancy has been in part attributed to adherence to masculine stereotypes restricting health promoting behaviors. Health-specific self-efficacy beliefs are theorised to contribute to these outcomes and recent research suggests addressing the link between masculinity and these beliefs is a key pathway to men's health promotion. Gender-sensitised health interventions show promise for helping men overcome health barriers as the "safe space" provides opportunity to broaden perspectives of masculinity, contributing to increases in health self-efficacy, which then mediates improved health outcomes. This study aimed to address gaps in previous research by examining this mechanism of gender-sensitised health promotion longitudinally in an intervention context. METHODS: A sample of 295 men participating in the Sons of the West (SOTW) 2019 program, a 10-week gender-sensitised, community-based health program, were measured pre-program and post-program to longitudinally assess changes in health outcomes. Regression analyses were used to test a mediation model of health behavior change. RESULTS: Findings showed improvements in health behavior, health self-efficacy, psychological distress, and decreased conformity to masculine norms. Residualized scores of the changes from pre-intervention to post-intervention indicated the changes in health self-efficacy fully mediated the relationship between changes in conformity to masculine norms and changes in health behavior and psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the key mechanism of change was the provision of opportunities for men to negotiate masculine stereotypes thus increasing health self-efficacy and explaining health improvements. This study utilized data from a real-world, large-scale men's health program but was limited to two waves of data. Future research and implications are discussed.

Source: BMC Psychology

DOI: 10.1186/s40359-025-02658-4

Authors: Jeremy S. Vassallo, Kim M. Shearson, Jenny M. Sharples

Institution: Victoria University

Language: English

Topic: Gender Roles and Identity Studies

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,990