Shared Reading as Mental Health Promotion Among Newly Retired Men: Design of a feasibility study

Purpose: The transition from the labor market to retirement is a critical phase of life. Men, especially, are at risk of negative health effects. Shared Reading may be a promising way to engage older men in health promoting interventions. However, no previous studies have investigated its effects on this group. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a Shared Reading intervention. This article presents the design of the study. Methodology: The study will be carried out using an exploratory mixed-methods design, investigating collective dimensions of Shared Reading and participants’ experiences and identifying and pilot-testing effect measures in a before-and-after design. Five Shared Reading groups will be carried out and evaluated, with a total of 50 participants. Findings: The results of the feasibility study will inform a large scale RCT of a Shared Reading intervention for retired men measuring health, social and literary effects and will provide analytical groundwork for an investigation of participants’ experience of reading literary texts. Originality/Value: The study is the first investigation of the effects of Shared Reading on newly retired men. It invites methodological transparency and reflection on the design, implementation and evaluation of arts and health interventions. Keywords: Mental health, arts & health, Shared Reading, intervention design, feasibility study