title: Male first-line managers' experiences of the work situation in elderly care: an empowerment perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe male first-line managers' experiences of their work situation in elderly care.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  First-line managers' work is challenging. However, less attention has been paid to male managers' work situation in health care. Knowledge is needed to empower male managers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen male first-line managers were interviewed. The interview text was subjected to qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Work situations were described as complex and challenging; challenges were the driving force. They talked about 'Being on one's own but not feeling left alone', 'Having freedom within set boundaries', 'Feeling a sense of satisfaction and stimulation', 'Feeling a sense of frustration' and 'Having a feeling of dejection and resignation'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the male managers report deficiencies in the support structure, they largely experience their work as a positive challenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To meet increasing challenges, male first-line managers need better access to supportive structural conditions. Better access to resources is needed in particular, allowing managers to be more visible for staff and to work with development and quality issues instead of administrative tasks. Regarding organisational changes and the scrutiny of management and the media, they lack and thus need support and information from superiors.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Health and Caring Sciences University of Gävle, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Gävle, Sweden.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hagerman
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Health and Caring Sciences University of Gävle, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Gävle, Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9912-5350
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Engström
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Health and Caring Sciences University of Gävle, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Gävle, Sweden.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Häggström
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Barbro
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wadensten
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Health and Caring Sciences University of Gävle, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Gävle, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bernice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Skytt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D013548:Sweden; D017132:Workplace
keywords: elderly care; male first-line manager; psychological empowerment; structural empowerment; work situation