The mystique of being invincible: a partnered qualitative study to understand the lived experience of men living on low income

Co-leads

Lenora Duhn, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Queen's University

Pilar Camargo-Plazas, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Queen’s University

Research Assistants

Paula Muis, PhD Health Quality Student (Research Fellow)

Knowledge Users

St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Board members, leadership and staff, and community members

Service and health organizations working with equity seeking populations

What? Men are the ‘unheard gender’ in many cases when considering social work services, and there remain significant knowledge gaps in our understanding of men’s unique experiences, feelings, and needs for improved well-being. This includes the experiences of men living on a low income or in poverty—concepts which have been defined and operationalized by the non-poor. In Kingston, Canada, a substantial number of men live on a low income, about 14.0% or 17,332 individuals. Income is a key social determinant that impacts an individual's well-being, including access to housing and food. For any meaningful change to occur poverty must be defined and holistically understood from the perspective of all who experience it, including men.

Why? The purpose of this study is to understand the lived experiences of a community of men who live on a low income including historical and current factors that have contributed to their circumstance, and their perceptions of enablers and barriers to their well-being.

How? In collaboration with the St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVDP) of Kingston, a participatory action research approach using photovoice will be used to engage with men living on a low income who access SVDP services. Photovoice enables participants to capture their experiences through photography and use these images to share their stories and perspectives.

Impact of findings: The valuable insights gained from the study will play a pivotal role in guiding the future direction and decision-making of SVDP’s board, leadership, and staff. The aim is to utilize this information with the goal of further advancing community well-being.

Funded By

SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant

Partners

St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP)