Assignment Title -
Raising the issues and concerns involving mental health within middle aged men across different ethnic groups.
Introduction
Evidences regarding presence and persistent of ethnic inequalities upholding the notion of mental health concern among middle aged men [35-55 years] across different ethnic groups within UK (Kotera, Green and Sheffield, 2019). Researches revealing that cultural barrier for accessing treatment, lack of competent care, socioeconomic disparities and compounding impacts of racism and discrimination disproportionately influencing men from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic [BAME] backgrounds (Mental health of men, 2023). This is further leading to poorer mental health outcomes; traditional masculine norms further discouraging men in terms of openly discussing their emotional distress which results in underreporting of mental issues. Furthermore, different cultural understanding regarding mental health and coping mechanism hindering the procedure of accessing appropriate treatment and care particularly for men in minority communities (Pierce et al, 2020). Some of the ethnic minority’s group faces language barriers and due to which they face restriction in accessing care. Socioeconomic factors such as lower income levels and higher unemployment rates among certain ethnic community exacerbating mental health complexities.
Hence, men from ethnic minority facing higher mental health complication; this is further leading to increasing risk of suicide and rise in long-term mental health conditions. Lower-income middle aged men are likely to die by suicide. Mental health complications such as depression, anxiety has become leading cause of concern in ethnic minorities specifically for men; depressive symptoms are pervasive in South Asian and Black Caribbean men in comparison to White European Men (Daly, Sutin and Robinson, 2022). This information persistently signifies that mental health is becoming a consistent concern among middle aged men across ethnic communities. The present research proposal is aiming to analysing the concerns and issues comprised with mental health among middle-aged men across different ethnic groups in UK. Furthermore, rationale behind selecting this study context would be highlighted. Moreover, justification behind selected methodology will be given.
Rationale
Problem Statement
From the existing research it is evident that middle-aged men within ethnic minorities groups in UK; specifically, those who belongs from Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin reported higher incidence of mental health conditions while comparing to White British Men (Smyth et al, 2022). Factors such as; migration, cultural sigma, socioeconomic disadvantages have been consistently contributing in the existing inequalities. Depression and anxiety found to be higher among selected demographics; increasing prevalence of depression in South Asian Groups significantly presenting about the variations existing in different ethnic and minorities groups. Cultural stigma is underpinning mistrust towards healthcare systems and as a result, individuals resist to take help from healthcare professionals (Bernardi, 2021). Racism and discrimination have become key cause of concern that is contributing in increasing cases of mental complexities. Lack of equitable and person-centred approach developing consequent loopholes within system and due to these males are not often able to access the services.
Studies representing that mediation is an effective tool for improving mental health among middle-aged men across ethnic groups (Bernardi, 2021). It associates with reducing stress and develops resilience capabilities that promotes positive thinking within individuals. This results in improving mood while developing self-esteem and self-awareness. The causes of mental health among men are significantly due to stress which is leading to anxiety and depression. Therefore, prior focus must be implied on reducing stress levels (Smyth et al, 2022). However, problem consist with reaching these individuals; people from ethnic minorities does not have trust in healthcare system as they have faced consistent disparities. There is need to develop a robust strategy that could lead to ensure support to these individuals and enhances their mental wellbeing.
Aim and Objectives
Aim
To analyse the issues and concerns related to mental health among middle-aged men across different ethnic groups in UK.
Objectives
- Evaluating the incidence of mental health conditions in middle-aged males from various ethnic minority groups.
- Identifying the risk that contribute to mental health, including environmental, physical, social and biological factors.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of mediations put into place aiming to improve mental health within men.
- Providing evidence-based interventions that enhances mental health of men.
Research Question
- What are the incidences of mental health conditions in middle-aged men among varied ethnic groups?
- What are the risk factors contributing in mental health including environmental, physical, social and biological factors?
- What is the effectiveness of mediations in improving mental health within men?
- What is evidence-based interventions that leads to enhance mental health among men?
Rationale
There aren't many studies that look at men's use of mental health services from an intersectional standpoint. But for those who have, intersectional influences have been reported, leading to a more significant understanding. Increasing health inequalities among these groups developing consecutive issues for individuals (Watkinson et al, 2024). Although ethnicity is identified as main domain accompanying with variety of sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. Hence, focusing on this context helps in further explore intersectionality in relation to men's use of mental health services. Emphasising on men’s mental health proves to be pivotal because middle-aged men from ethnic communities are less likely to seek help for mental health complications (Bell et al, 2023). This is due to societal stigma and pressure; this results in negative consequences such as suicide. Despite implementation of varied mental health services for supporting BAME communities the cases are consistently persisting. This is depicting about the loopholes and system barriers comprehending with health disparities (Bell et al, 2023). BAME individuals specially men have wider responsibilities as they have to look upon their families despite being unemployed, they try to feed their families.
From social perspective men are often seen as masculine and bearing this pressure they are not able to show their emotions which contributes in anxiety and depression followed by stress (Mental health of men, 2023). Thus, it is equally important to consider men’s mental health as they are struggling with their lives and further, they are not able to share it. While comparing to general population, individuals suffering from mental illness have poor physical health and shorter life expectancy rate. There are different factors such as environmental, physical, social and biological factors that contributes in mental health complexities; in context of men from BAME communities, this can be said that all of these factors particularly, environmental and social factors leading to increase in depression rates (Smyth et al, 2022). Therefore, it is important to understand the depth of these components so that interventions can be recommended accordingly. Environmental factors are aligned with stressful life events, poor living conditions, discrimination and social isolation (Mental health of men, 2023). Physical factors concerned with chronic health conditions, nutritional deficiency and substance abuse.
On the other hand, social factors entitled with lower socioeconomic status, lack of social support and social stigma. While, biological factors comply with genetics and physical health issues (Smyth et al, 2022). These are different factors which would be focused out during this study and consequently, interventions will be recommended. The outcomes of the study will be useful for clinical settings as they can take preventive measures and interventions for supporting middle-aged men from ethnic minority communities. The rationale behind undertaking current research aligns with understanding the incidences of mental health conditions among middle aged men across ethnic groups while focusing on factors leading to increase risk. There is lack of strategies taken for men and this research will focus on gaining the attention of policy makers and healthcare setting on such an important concern.
Justification for chosen methodology
From the findings it has been evident that there are limited researches undertaken within current research area. Only selected primary and secondary studies were conducted; primary research was concerned with undertaking surveys and interviews (Tusquellas et al, 2025). On the other hand, secondary research comprised with reviewing articles and journal from authentic database and Google scholar. Furthermore, information on NHS has been presented and accordingly studies assessed the mental health issues among middle-aged men across different ethnic groups (Susilawati et al, 2025). Previous studies presented limited information as the focus was implied on only determining mental health issues. However, present study will focus on assessing the factors that leads to influence mental wellbeing of middle-aged men. Furthermore, influence of mediation would be assessed while highlighting evidence-based interventions. The research will be based on specific population and therefore, systematic literature review will be undertaken by considering primary and secondary based articles.
Systematic Literature Review [SLR] explicated as structured procedure complies with synthesis of relevant research findings based on a specific topic (Fàbregues and Guetterman, 2025). It differs from traditional literature review; SLR provides nuanced and comprehensive information regarding specific clinical question. Whilst answering a clinical question, SLR proves to be effective as it provides wider literature addressing research question within considering diverse clinical domains. In present research, output of SLR will be presented in thematic manner and subsequently, different themes would be formulated (Marra and Nielsen, 2025). The qualitative findings would be easy to understand and varied stakeholders can easily access the information. Research has revealed that for conducting clinical study; systematic review is appropriate because it provides evidence-based information.
It further supports healthcare settings to undertake clinical decision complying with evidences and clinical trials (Rogowski and Le Thi, 2025). Thereby, in current study research will prefer systematic review and emphasis would be implied on specific context “Mental health issues and concerns in middle-aged men across different ethnic groups within UK”. Furthermore, factors will be assessed and interventions would be shown. The systematic review will provide key benefits concerned with increased reliability, high quality of evidences and supports in reducing bias. A structured approach will be followed and researcher would be able to answer specific research question. This enables analyst to undertake rigorous planning so that each stage can be predefined and consequently, activities will be undertaken formulated (Marra and Nielsen, 2025). A detailed search strategy would be followed that comprises with eligibility criteria, key words, database, study selection, data extraction, data analysis, quality assessment and ethical consideration. This enables researcher to select authentic and relevant studies that provides accurate information regarding research context. Hence, there is no doubt in articulating that systematic literature review will ensure wider benefits in current research context.
Methods
In current study the researcher will be following rigorous, transparent and replicable series of steps in order to assure quality outcomes. The methodology will be aligned with different steps mentioned below-
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria would be followed by researcher for considering the eligibility criteria of study
Table 1-Inclusion and exclusion criteria
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Inclusion Criteria |
Exclusion Criteria |
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The above presented inclusion and exclusion criteria would be followed by analyst and consequently, seven peer reviewed articles will be finalised. This enables researcher in developing quality outcomes that informs healthcare settings about evidence-based interventions for men.
Search strategy
Key words
Key words are considered as those components that are entered in database for searching about relevant topics (Hazari, 2024). It is important to use appropriate key words as this supports in searching about relevant articles and further supports in gaining quality information. In case, researcher does not focus on using appropriate key words then it misguides them while searching articles. Therefore, in current research analyst has ensured significant focus on this area and consequently, articles would be selected. Hence, relevant key words would be used for witnessing peer-reviewed articles. The analyst will use key words “mental health”, “middle-aged men”, “ethnic”, “groups”, “different”, “community”, “UK”, “issues”, “concerns”, “incidence”, “risk”, “physical”, “social”, “environmental”, “biological”, “mediations”, “effectiveness”, “evidence-based interventions” and “wellbeing”. All of these key words are relevant with research topic and therefore, researcher would be able to find relevant peer-reviewed articles that lead to enhance the efficacy of the outcomes.
Database
Table 2-Databases
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Databases |
Rationale |
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CINAHL |
CINAHL is determined as an authoritative source for nursing and healthcare literature that provides access to comprehensive and peer-reviewed journal articles. By approaching this database, analyst can easily access peer-reviewed journals (Zhou, Li and Sun, 2022). Therefore, researcher will select this database and consequently, peer-reviewed articles would be selected. |
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MEDLINE |
Medline provides comprehensive collection of medical literature that comprehends with National Library of Medicine. By approaching this database, researcher will be able to select high-quality peer-reviewed articles and therefore this database would be considered. |
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PubMed |
PubMed providing wider collection of literature related to biomedical life science literature that is providing broader overview related to clinical research topics (Zhou, Li and Sun, 2022). By considering this database, researcher will be able to allocate detailed information based on current study context. |
Thus, above mentioned databases will be considered for allocating quality information and consequently, outcomes would be developed.
Study selection
Study selection proves to be a crucial procedure as it complies with selecting peer-reviewed articles that are of high quality and accordingly, findings are developed (Hazari, 2024). In current research, study selection will be done while following detailed procedure in which screening of the abstract, title and articles would be done and consequently, relevancy with the research topic would be assessed. This supports analyst to finalise the relevant articles and subsequently, remaining articles will be excluded. Furthermore, data extraction procedure would be followed that supports researcher to witness key variables such as incidence of mental health, middle-aged men, factors, intervention type and concerns. Hence, by checking relevancy of information presented in the article; the studies would be finalised and data would be allocated for developing final outcomes.
Data extraction and data analysis
Data extraction is determined as the process of systematically allocating and retrieving information from the varied source specifically, while collecting raw findings from research articles (Ocaña-Fernández and Fuster-Guillén, 2021). In current study, important information from articles is going to be extracted and this will be used for conducting systematic review. In this manner, researcher will be able to allocate empirical data that enhances quality of the outcomes. Data extraction procedure has been proven highly important for synthesising information and therefore, researcher will ensure significant focus on this area. On the other hand, data analysis is explicated as that procedure which focuses on analysing allocated information (Ocaña-Fernández and Fuster-Guillén, 2021). There are two ways in which researcher can analyse data and those are-thematic and statistical; thematic data analysis is suitable for evaluating and analysing qualitative information. On the other hand, statistical analysis is appropriate for analysing numerical data.
As per suitability of current research, analyst will prefer thematic data analysis and accordingly, different themes related to research context would be formulated. This method of data analysis supports in interpreting qualitative information that is easy to understand (Ocaña-Fernández and Fuster-Guillén, 2021). Henceforth, researcher will adopt this method and accordingly, data analysis would be done. Varied themes related to incidence of mental health in middle-aged men across ethnic communities, factor leading to impacting mental health, influence of mediation and evidence-based intervention will be developed and subsequently, authentic information would be gained. This enables researcher to present information in such manner that would be easy to understand.
Quality assessment
Quality assessment is considered as an essential step in research procedure; it assures that allocated information is reliable and valid that can be further used in clinical context. Through quality assessment, bias within study can be minimised and accurate information will be collected. For undertaking quality assessment of the selected studies, researcher will use Critical Appraisal Skills Programme [CASP] tool (Dubey and Kothari, 2022). This is considered as the set of appraisal tool which is used for assessing the efficiency of information presented in the article. Through CASP tool researcher will be able to analyse the quality of articles and accordingly, data will be considered in findings. Quality assessment is essential for ensuring about the quality of information and CASP is one of the effective tools that can be used to assess quality. Therefore, researcher will use this tool and consequently, quality information will be ensured in the study.
Ethics
Ethics is delineated as the set of morals that guides researcher to prioritise ethical practices throughout the research. It is crucial as it determines about the integrity and morals within research activities (Dubey and Kothari, 2022). Therefore, researcher will ensure significant focus on this area and consequently, mandatory ethics would be performed. No academic misconduct will be done and researcher will paraphrase information and appropriate format of referencing and citations would be followed. Academic integrity will be maintained and this supports in enhancing the effectiveness of outcomes. Furthermore, researcher will ensure that no harm to any one will be done while performing research practices. Specifically, study will be conducted for performing social good so that support to men from ethnic communities would be ensured.
The reliability and validity of the information will be checked through inclusion and exclusion criteria. Afterwards, by using CASP tool quality assessment will be undertaken; this supports in developing quality outcomes which could be used in clinical practice. Hence, in this manner researcher will be able to ensure ethics within research practices.
Gantt Chart
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Research question |
4th Feb |
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Develop protocol |
11th Feb |
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Conduct literature review |
17th Feb |
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Search database |
17th Feb |
18th Feb |
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Eligibility criteria |
24th Feb |
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Extract |
25th Feb |
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Quality assessment |
September |
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synthesis |
October |
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Final report |
November |
The above-mentioned Gantt Chart has been displaying about project timeline regarding each phase. Furthermore, it is showing about important resources and dependencies. Thus, by following this timeline researcher will be able to perform all the activities within set-time frame and subsequently, outcomes would be developed on time.
This health and social care assignment sample demonstrates how to structure a strong research proposal using evidence-based literature, clear aims, and a systematic review approach. If you are struggling with research questions, methodology justification, literature reviews, or academic referencing, professional assignment help can guide you through every stage. Our experts support students with health, wellbeing, and social care assignments, ensuring clarity, critical analysis, and university-ready submissions.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bell, O.J., Flynn, D., Clifford, T., West, D., Stevenson, E. and Avery, L., 2023. Identifying behavioural barriers and facilitators to engaging men in a community-based lifestyle intervention to improve physical and mental health and well-being. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20(1), p.25.
Bernardi, L., 2021. Mental health and political representation: a roadmap. Frontiers in Political Science, 2, p.587588.
Daly, M., Sutin, A.R. and Robinson, E., 2022. Longitudinal changes in mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Psychological medicine, 52(13), pp.2549-2558.
Dubey, U.K.B. and Kothari, D.P., 2022. Research methodology: Techniques and trends. Chapman and Hall/CRC.
Fàbregues, S. and Guetterman, T.C., 2025. Mixed Methods Research Systematic Methodological Reviews—Benefits, Challenges, and Solutions. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 19(1), pp.6-17.
Hazari, A., 2024. Introduction to research methodology. In Research Methodology for Allied Health Professionals: A comprehensive guide to Thesis & Dissertation (pp. 1-6). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Kotera, Y., Green, P. and Sheffield, D., 2019. Mental health shame of UK construction workers: Relationship with masculinity, work motivation, and self-compassion. Revista de Psicología del Trabajo y de las Organizaciones, 35(2), pp.135-143.
Marra, M. and Nielsen, B.B., 2025. Research methodology: Best practices for rigorous, credible, and impactful research. Journal of International Business Studies, pp.1-3.
Ocaña-Fernández, Y. and Fuster-Guillén, D., 2021. The bibliographical review as a research methodology. Revista Tempos e Espaços em Educação, 14(33), pp.e15614-e15614.
Pierce, M., Hope, H., Ford, T., Hatch, S., Hotopf, M., John, A., Kontopantelis, E., Webb, R., Wessely, S., McManus, S. and Abel, K.M., 2020. Mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal probability sample survey of the UK population. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(10), pp.883-892.
Rogowski, S. and Le Thi, N., 2025. Critical theory, research methodology, and critical social work. In Handbook of Research Methods in Social Work (pp. 85-95). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Smyth, N., Buckman, J.E., Naqvi, S.A., Aguirre, E., Cardoso, A., Pilling, S. and Saunders, R., 2022. Understanding differences in mental health service use by men: an intersectional analysis of routine data. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 57(10), pp.2065-2077.
Susilawati, A., Al-Obaidi, A.S.M., Abduh, A., Irwansyah, F.S. and Nandiyanto, A.B.D., 2025. How to do research methodology: From literature review, bibliometric, step-by-step research stages, to practical examples in science and engineering education. Indonesian Journal of Science and Technology, 10(1), pp.1-40.
Tusquellas, N., López-Villanueva, D., Palau, R. and Santiago, R., 2025. Educational Conceptual Model Design Research Methodology. UTE Teaching & Technology (Universitas Tarraconensis), (2), pp.e4103-e4103.
Watkinson, R.E., Linfield, A., Tielemans, J., Francetic, I. and Munford, L., 2024. Gender-related self-reported mental health inequalities in primary care in England: a cross-sectional analysis using the GP Patient Survey. The Lancet Public Health, 9(2), pp.e100-e108.
Zhou, Y., Li, H. and Sun, H., 2022. Metalloproteomics for biomedical research: methodology and applications. Annual review of biochemistry, 91(1), pp.449-473.
Online
Mental health of men, 2023. Online. Available through https://committees.parliament.uk/work/124/mental-health-of-men-and-boys-followup/
