Ethiopian Refugee Resettlement in the Western United States: Social Context and Psychological Well-Being

Pakistan is encountering a massive adult migration that is affecting its social fabric in various aspects. The present study has been carved out in context of the adult migration impacts on the elderly left behind in Pakistan. Particularly, the study examines the social, psychological, and economic reciprocity of the elderly left behind owing to their adult (children) outmigration. It has focused to explore the prevalence of social, psychological, and economic well-being of the elderly left behind, to find out the dynamics of the social, psychological, and economic well-being of elderly left behind by demographic variables e.g., gender, residence, etc. To identify the interrelation of the social, economic, and psychological well-being of the elderly left behind in District Rawalpindi, and considering this, to propose a Tridimensional Model of the well-being of elderly left behind and to suggest some measures to improve the social, psychological and economic wellbeing of elderly left behind. The tri-dimensional model of well-being employed the quantitative research design in order to map out the adult migration impact on parents. The study has been conducted in the Rawalpindi district of Punjab Pakistan. The researcher used the self-administered questionnaire and collected the data from the targeted elderly left behind through the multistage sampling technique. The sample size of the study was 400 elderly left behind from the different areas of Rawalpindi. The study concludes through its findings that its findings there is higher reciprocity between social well-being and psychological well-being, economic and social well-being has a strong association, but economic and psychological well-being has not been found significant. The study suggests there is a dire need to devise policies for the well-being of the increasing elderly population. Keywords: Social well-being, psychological well-being, Economic Well Being. Migration.

The positive physical, mental, and cognitive health effects of social participation in late life have been well established. However, the facilitators and barriers of social participation among older adults with dementia and the effects of social participation on their psychological well-being have been understudied. Using the cross-sectional 2023 National Health and Aging Trends Studies (N = 7,547; 13.2% of them classified as having possible or probable dementia), we examined the correlates of social participation among older adults with dementia, compared to those among their peers without dementia, the moderating effect of dementia on the associations between social participation and psychological well-being, and the mediation effects of SSNS and depressive/anxiety symptoms on the associations between social participation and psychological well-being among older adults with dementia. Results from linear regression models show negative associations between dementia and social participation (B [SE] = -0.36 [0.07], t = -5.38, p < .001 for possible dementia; B [SE] = -0.31 [0.09], t = -3.42, p = .001 for probable dementia). However, regardless of dementia status, higher education, larger social network, greater neighborhood social cohesion, and engagement in exercise were facilitators of social participation. Perceived health-related and transportation barriers and vision impairment among those with dementia were barriers to social participation. The positive association between social participation and psychological well-being (B [SE] = 0.18 [0.01], t = 13.01, p < .001) was not moderated by dementia status, although both possible and probable dementia were independently negatively associated with psychological well-being. Path model results show that among older adults with dementia, increased social network size (ratio of indirect to total effects = 0.13) and reduced depressive/anxiety symptoms (ratio of indirect to total effects = 0.17) mediated the association between social participation and psychological well-being. Implications of the findings for enhancing social participation among older adults with dementia are discussed.

BACKGROUND:Psychological well-being is an important part that undergraduate students and universities cannot neglect as it helps students lead a better study life at the university. Various studies revealed that social support can affect students’ psychological well-being. However, the causal relationship between social support and psychological well-being has received little attention in North China. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to analyze the causal relationship between social support and psychological well-being among undergraduate students in North China.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The survey approach was adopted and conducted with a total of 689 undergraduate students in North China. Data were collected using a reliable questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and structural equation modeling at P < 0.01 significance level using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Linear Structural Relations (LISREL).RESULTS:The overall levels of social support and psychological well-being among undergraduate students in North China were high. All observed variables in this study were significantly correlated. The findings also confirmed that the causal relationship between social support and undergraduate students’ psychological well-being in North China fitted to the empirical data well (χ2 [22, N = 689] = 27.69, χ2/degree of freedom [df] = 1.26, P = 0.19, goodness of fit index [GFI] = 0.99, adjusted goodness of fit index [AGFI] = 0.98, comparative fit index [CFI] = 1.00, standardized root mean square residual [SRMR] = 0.02, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.02).CONCLUSIONS:Undergraduate students’ psychological well-being had been significantly affected by social support in North China. The findings from the current study will be useful for university administrators to develop strategies for the enhancement of undergraduate students’ psychological well-being.

Ethiopian Refugee Resettlement in the Western United States: Social Context and Psychological Well-Being

Research has begun to explore the relationship between social support and psychological well-being among adolescents, but the overall relationship remains unclear. This meta-analytical study aims to explore: (1) the overall relationship between social support and psychological well-being, and (2) the moderating variable effect of the relationship between social support and modified psychological well- being. Eleven journals were collected using the PRISMA method and analyzed using Jamovi application for meta-analysis. The results found an overall positive effect with high heterogeneity for the relationshipp between social support and psychological well-being among adolescents. The effect sizes of the 11 empirical studies ranges from 0 to 1.02. The overall average effect size is medium (r = 0.58). The results also show that the heterogeneity of this relationship is high (82.6%). In addition, analysis of moderator indicated the year of publication, subject characteristics, social support measures, and sources of support social relationships related to social support and psychological well- being. Participant’s age and gender or the research design had no influence on the relationship between social support and psychological well-being. Implications and possible applications of the relationship between social support and psychological well-being among adolescents discussed in this article.

Objective: To describe the level of psychological, social and subjective well-being in victims of the armed conflict in the municipality of Chalán. Theoretical Framework: Mental health includes psychological, subjective and social well-being. Psychological well-being encompasses the satisfaction and optimal functioning of the individual. Subjective well-being refers to the perception of quality of life and personal satisfaction. Social well-being assesses the perception of social functioning and social context, including social integration and contribution. Method: A quantitative approach was adopted with a descriptive non-experimental cross-sectional cohort design. The participants were 75 victims of the armed conflict. The following scales were used: Ryff's Psychological Well-Being, Keyes' Social Well-Being and Sánchez Cánovas' Subjective Psychological Well-Being. Results and Discussion: 56% of the participants reflect a deficit in their psychological well-being, 36% are at a standard level and only 8% are at a high level, in line with research on victims of the armed conflict in Colombia. The 46.6% evaluate their subjective well-being negatively, while 57.3% evaluate it positively, highlighting the complex interaction between traumatic experiences and current satisfaction. 88% present a deficit in their social well-being. Research implications: The results have direct implications for the formulation of policies and intervention programs aimed at improving the comprehensive well-being of victims of the armed conflict. Originality/value: It lays the foundation for future research and practices focused on similar contexts, expanding knowledge and improving interventions in conflict and post-conflict situations globally.

Research suggests that Facebooking can be both beneficial and detrimental for users’ psychological well-being. The current study attempts to reconcile these seemingly mixed and inconsistent findings by unpacking the specific effects of Facebooking on users’ online–offline social relationship satisfaction and psychological well-being. Using structural equation modeling, pathways were examined between Facebook intensity, online–offline social relationship satisfaction, perceived social support, social interaction anxiety, and psychological well-being. Personality differences on each of those paths were also assessed. Employing a sample of 342 American university students, results indicated that intensive Facebooking was positively associated with users’ psychological well-being through online social relationship satisfaction, and simultaneously negatively linked to users’ psychological well-being through offline social relationship satisfaction. Multiple group analyses revealed that the linkage between perceived social support and psychological well-being was stronger for introverts than for extraverts. Our findings indicate that the benefits or detriments of Facebooking are contingent upon both personality characteristics and online–offline social contexts.

Incorporating the perspectives of positive psychology, intersectionality, and life course into minority stress theory, this study aimed to examine the relationships between social support, identity affirmation, and psychological well-being among 483 Italian individuals with bisexual orientation, accounting for differences in gender identity (cisgender vs. non-binary) and age groups (young, early, and middle adult). A mediation model was tested in which identity affirmation served as a presumed mediator between social support and psychological well-being. We also examined whether gender identity and age group moderated the hypothesized associations. Multivariate ANOVA and multigroup mediation analyses were conducted. Results showed that (a) cisgender individuals had higher social support and psychological well-being than non-binary individuals, but not identity affirmation, which was higher in the latter group, (b) psychological well-being, but not social support and identity affirmation, differed between groups, with the youngest cohort reporting worse health than their elders, (c) identity affirmation mediated the relationship between social support and psychological well-being, (d) mediation was significant only in binary individuals (compared to cisgender), whereas no age differences were found. Overall, this study highlights the need to consider bisexual individuals as a nonhomogeneous population living multiple life experiences, especially when minority identities intersect.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents a growing global public health challenge. Caregivers of TBI patients often experience significant psychological strain and emotional distress. Perceived social support is crucial in mitigating these challenges and promoting better psychological well-being and caregiver outcomes. Objectives: The study's main objectives were to assess the levels of perceived social support and psychological well-being among caregivers of TBI patients, examine their correlation, and identify associations with demographic variables. Materials and Methods: A non-experimental descriptive study was used in the Neurotrauma ward of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. Twenty-five carers were selected by a non-probability convenience selection technique. Data were gathered through structured interviews and validated instruments: the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and chi-square tests, with significance established at p &lt; 0.05 Results: Most caregivers reported moderate perceived social support (76%) and psychological well-being (80%). Perceived social support and psychological well-being were strongly correlated (r = 0.74, p = 0.001). Gender (p = 0.011) and education level (p = 0.022) significantly influenced social support. Conclusion: Caregivers of TBI patients face moderate social support and psychological well-being, emphasising the need for targeted interventions. Addressing demographic disparities and enhancing support systems can improve caregiver and patient outcomes.

To explore the relationship between social isolation and psychological well-being among community-dwelling older adults and analyze the mediating role of physical activity and psychological resilience in the chain mediation effect between social isolation and psychological well-being. Two hundred sixty-five older adults from six communities in Baoding City were selected using convenience sampling. Social isolation, physical activity, psychological resilience, and psychological well-being were measured. The SPSS PROCESS program was used to test the chain mediation effect. Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant relationships between psychological well-being and social isolation, psychological resilience, and physical activity (all p < 0.001). Mediation analysis results showed that social isolation directly affects psychological well-being and influences psychological well-being through three mediation chains: physical activity, psychological resilience, and the chain mediation effect of physical activity and psychological resilience. Total mediation effect accounted for 60% of the total effect. Social isolation is a significant risk factor for decreased psychological well-being among older adults, and physical activity and psychological resilience serve as important explanatory mechanisms. Community health workers should prioritize the impact of social isolation on the psychological well-being of older adults and develop intervention strategies based on the pathways of physical activity and psychological resilience to enhance psychological well-being and promote healthy aging. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 51(6), 23-29.].

Abstract: International students are a significant resource for many host countries because they increase cultural diversity within the community, offer talent and innovation to universities, and make notable economic contributions. Many studies, however, have shown that international students have lower psychological well-being. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the associations between psychological well-being as a dependent variable and perceived social support as an independent variable, and test the mediating roles of resiliency and spirituality in the link between perceived social support and psychological well-being. This is a cross-sectional study with a random sampling method. A total of 300 Chinese international students in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) participated in this study and completed four questionnaires, namely the Perceived Social Support scale, Psychological Well-being scale, the Spiritual Values scale, and Connor-Davidson Resilience scale. The results from PLS-SEM showed that greater levels of social support are associated with greater levels of psychological well-being. Resiliency and spirituality partially mediated the relationship between social support and psychological well-being. The findings of this study not only revealed an association between perceived social support and psychological well-being among Chinese international students in Malaysia but also expanded our knowledge of the mediating roles of resilience and spirituality in the relationship. Keywords: International students, Perceived social support, Psychological well-being, Resiliency, Spirituality.

The death of spouse brings major changes in the life of the wife/husband that may affect their psychological well-being. To maintain their psychological well-being within an optimum level, elderly will seek sources of social support in their lives. This study aims to test the correlation between perceived social support and psychological well-being in elderly and to investigate gender differences in perceived social support and psychological well-being. This study comprised 112 elderly (78 widowers; 34 widows), members of the Healthy Elderly Community of the Indonesian Red Cross, Semarang City. Data were collected using the Perceived Social Support Scale (32 items; α = 0.97) and Psychological Well-being Scale (33 items; α = 0.92). Simple regression analysis was applied to test the correlation between two variables and student t-test was used to compare data from male and female groups. The results revealed a positive and significant correlation between perceived social support and psychological well-being in elderly (r = 0.739; p < 0.001). Perceived social support explained 54.6% of the psychological well-being. T-test revealed gender differences in perceived social support and psychological well-being in elderly. The widows perceived social support better than the widowers (t(35) = 3.594; p < 0.001), the widows also showed higher psychological well-being than the widowers (t(42) = 2.944; p= 0.004).

Perceived social support is considered to play a significant role in promoting individuals' health and well-being, and yet the neural correlates of perceived social support were not fully understood. An exploration of the neural correlates of individual differences in the SPS can help us to gain more comprehensive understanding about the neural correlates of perceived social support. What's more, our study will explore the relationship among perceived social support, brain regions, and psychological well-being, which may provide new insights into the neural correlates underlying the relationship between perceived social support and psychological well-being from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience. Herein, we used the Social Provisions Scale to assess individuals' perceived social support, and magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the gray matter (GM) volume of the whole brain. What's more, we also measured psychological well-being using the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and mediation analysis was used to explore the relationship among perceived social support, brain regions, and psychological well-being. The voxel-based morphometry analysis of the whole brain revealed that perceived social support was positively correlated with GM volume of the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG). The finding indicated that a person with greater GM volume in the left MTG perceived more social support. More importantly, the left MTG GM volume observed above was also associated with psychological well-being, and the link between the two was mediated by perceived social support. These results revealed the importance of MTG for perceived social support and psychological well-being, and also suggested that perceived social support might explain the relationship between MTG and psychological well-being.

There is a pressing need for research on neurodevelopmental conditions to focus on predictors of resilient or positive outcomes, rather than core symptoms and impairment. One promising avenue is to consider whether child-parent similarity contributes to a protective family environment. For instance, investigations of the similarity-fit hypothesis have shown that parent-child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) trait similarity is associated with more favourable parent or child ratings of parenting and parent-child interaction. However, very little similarity-fit research has focused on autism, and none to date has investigated whether parent-child trait similarity is more broadly predictive of children's outcomes beyond parent-child interaction. We assessed whether parent-child autism and ADHD trait similarity predicted children's social functioning and psychological well-being in early childhood in a family history cohort. Our analytic sample comprised 222 children (45.5% female) and their parents from a longitudinal family history (autism and/or ADHD) cohort. A novel parent-child trait similarity measure was computed for autism and ADHD traits in each parent-child pair, and robust hierarchical regression was used to assess whether mother-child and father-child autism and ADHD similarity predicted children's social functioning and psychological well-being at age 3 years, after accounting for the main effects of parent and child traits. Mother-child autism trait similarity positively predicted both social functioning and psychological well-being in children, while mother-child ADHD trait similarity positively predicted children's social functioning (but not well-being). Furthermore, father-child autism trait similarity positively predicted children's social functioning, though it fell just short of statistical significance in outlier-robust regression. Our findings suggest that parent-child neurodevelopmental trait similarity may act as a protective or promotive factor for children's early social functioning and psychological well-being. Further work is warranted to determine whether there are similar effects in later childhood and to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying similarity-fit effects on children's outcomes.

Social skills play a pivotal role in fabricating and consolidating social relationships. Presently, smartphones have completely changed the mode of social communication. Individuals equipped with adequate social skills may use smartphones for diverse purposes ranging from social needs and hedonic needs to cognitive needs. Despite having many advantages, smartphones also serve as a source of immediate gratification and may make individuals vulnerable to addiction to their smartphones with several consequences for their well-being. The study attempts to establish a model for analyzing the mediating effect that smartphone addiction may have on the relationship between social skills and psychological well-being. A sample of 509 adult participants from the capital and national capital region, India, responded to questionnaires related to social skills, smartphone addiction, and psychological well-being. Data retrieved from this phase was analyzed using PROCESS macro [7]. The mediation analysis yielded the following results: (I) Two dimensions of social skills, namely social expressivity, and emotional control, significantly predicted dimensions of smartphone addiction and psychological well-being. (II) Two dimensions of smartphone addiction- uncontrolled usage and cyberspace orientation, showed the full mediating effect on the relationship between social skills and psychological well-being. (III) Social expressivity positively influenced smartphone addiction (uncontrolled usage and cyberspace orientation), leading to diminished psychological well-being. (IV) On the contrary, emotional control curbed the tendency for smartphone addiction, resulting in better psychological well-being. The present study has many important implications for both researchers as well as to common masses. An effective intervention program based on emotional regulation and emotional control will help control the disadvantages of smartphone addiction, which will also help achieve greater psychological well-being levels.KeywordsSocial skillsSmartphone addictionPsychological well-beingEmotional controlCyberspace orientation