Self-Perceived Nutrition is Associated With Physical, Mental, and Oral Health in Older Korean Americans Living in Subsidized Senior Housing.

Objectives:Guided by the models of health assessment and social determinants of health, we examined predictors of self-rated physical, mental, oral, and cognitive health of older Korean immigrants.Methods:Data came from the Study of Older Korean Americans (SOKA; N = 2,061, Mean age = 73.2). Multivariate regression models of self-ratings of health were tested with health indicators (both domain-specific and other health indicators including chronic disease, functional disability, problems with teeth or gums, and cognitive function) and sociocultural factors (acculturation, social network, and ethnic community social cohesion).Results:For self-rated physical, mental, and oral health, indicators specific to the targeted domain played a primary role, with those of other health domains playing a secondary role. Acculturation and social network were significant predictors of all four measures.Discussion:Findings highlight the importance of holistic health assessment that considers a wide range of health domains as well as sociocultural contexts.

We examined the association of urinary incontinence (UI) with physical, mental, and social health among older Korean Americans living in subsidized senior housing. Data were obtained from surveys conducted in 2023 with older Korean Americans residing in subsidized senior housing in the Los Angeles area (n = 313). UI was measured using a question about the frequency of involuntary urine loss. Physical, mental, and social health risks were assessed with a single item for self-rated health (fair/poor rating), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (probable depression), and the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (isolation from family and friends). Over half of the sample reported UI, with 46.3% experiencing it infrequently (i.e. seldom) and 10.3% frequently (i.e. sometimes or often). UI was significantly associated with physical and mental health indicators; the odds of reporting fair or poor health and having probable depression were 1.94-7.32 times higher among those with either infrequent or frequent UI compared to those without UI. While family isolation was not associated with UI, the odds of being isolated from friends were 2.85 times greater among those with frequent UI compared to those without UI. Our findings confirm the adverse impact of UI on physical and mental health and highlight its unique role in social health. UI-associated social isolation was significant only in relationships with friends, providing new insights into the distinction between isolation from family and friends. These findings enhance our understanding of the health risks associated with UI and inform strategies for health management and promotion within the senior housing context.

The impact of oral health on HIV patients has not been sufficiently documented. To estimate the associations between measures of oral and generic health-related quality of life in persons receiving medical care for HIV. This is a longitudinal study of interview data collected in a probability sample of adults with HIV receiving health care in the US. The data were collected at three points in time. Two thousand eight hundred and sixty-four HIV-infected adults using medical care. Physical and mental health were assessed using 28 items and oral health was assessed using seven items on oral-related pain and discomfort, worry, appearance, and function. Clinical measures included CD4 count, oral symptoms, physical symptoms, and stage of HIV. Physical functioning and emotional well-being were measured on a 0-100 scale with higher scores indicating better health. Oral health was measured using seven items with a five point scale. In multivariate analyses, oral symptoms had the strongest association with oral health-related quality of life. Each additional oral symptom was associated with an average decrease in oral health (0-100 possible range) of 3.97 points (p = 0.000). In addition, oral health was significantly associated with both physical and mental health. A one-point increase in oral health was associated with a 0.05 (p = 0.000) increase in mental health and 0.02 increase in physical health (p = 0.031). Oral health is strongly associated with physical and mental health but provides noteworthy unique information in persons with HIV infection. Thus, physical and mental health measures of HIV patients should incorporate indicators of oral functioning and well-being.

Although significant progress has been made in understanding mental health issues, racial/ethnic minorities are disadvantaged in terms of knowledge, attitude/stigma toward mental illness, and access to treatment. Older Koreans and Korean Americans are high-risk groups with great prevalence of stigma and limited access to mental services. The two groups share similarities as well as differences. For example, Older Korean Americans, a first-generation immigrant group, tend to share traditional values and beliefs with older Koreans. However, differences in social and cultural contexts, availability of social networks and resources, and access to health care systems present unique challenges and strategies. The purpose of this symposium is to enhance the understanding of critical issues in mental health among older Koreans and Korean Americans and identify challenges and strategies to promote mental health and well-being. Five studies conducted in Korea and the US will explore a variety of personal, social, and cultural factors related with mental health, based on quantitative and qualitative approaches. The diverse topics cover the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship of stigma to emotional well-being, the effect of stress and coping on well-being, loneliness and negative family interactions, the relationship of life stressors and social capital on mental distress among older Korean Americans compared with other older Asian Americans, and community leaders’ attitude toward depression. The issues of vulnerabilities and resources will be discussed from the cultural perspectives as well as implications for future research and practice.

Refugee health nursing.

Mental health of Syrian refugees: looking backwards and forwards

Urinary incontinence (UI) or involuntary leakage of urine, is a common geriatric condition. Despite its harmful effect on health and well-being, UI has often been neglected in geriatric care. In the present study, we examined the risks posed by UI to the physical, mental, and social health of older Korean Americans living in subsidized senior housing. Survey data were collected from 313 older Korean-American residents in subsidized senior housing in the Los Angeles area. UI was assessed with a question on the frequency of experiencing involuntary leakage of urine. Physical, mental, and social health risks were indicated by a single item self-rated health (fair/poor rating), the Patient Health Questionnaire−9 (probable depression), and the Lubben Social Network Scale−6, (isolation from family and isolation from friends). More than half of the sample reported UI, with the experience being infrequent (i.e., seldom) for 46.3% and frequent (i.e., sometimes or often) for 10.3%. Regardless of the frequency, UI posed a significant risk to physical and mental health. The odds of reporting fair/poor health and having probable depression were 1.82 to 6.81 times higher among those with infrequent/frequent UI than among those without. Family isolation was not associated with UI; however, the odds of being isolated from friends were 2.95 times higher among those with frequent UI compared with the reference group. Our findings underscore the importance of addressing UI in the health promotion effort in senior housing, calling for interdisciplinary approaches for resident care.

Previous studies have demonstrated a strong and consistent association between higher acculturative stress and poorer mental and physical health outcomes while acculturating to a new country. Acculturative stress is multifactorial and nurses work in variety of settings that encounter older immigrants with different levels of acculturative stress. Research on resilience among older immigrants has linked resilience to successful acculturation. The aim of this study was to explore the interplay between acculturation, acculturative stress and resilience, and their collective impact on physical and mental health self-evaluation among older Filipino Americans. This study employed a cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive design using older Filipino immigrants, 55years and older (N=123) who were living in the western part of the United States. Our study found that the levels of acculturation did not have a significant influence on self-evaluation of physical and mental health; however, acculturative stress and resilience had an indirect effect on physical and mental health. This study reemphasized the importance of assessing the acculturative stress and determining resiliency among older immigrants who might be undergoing acculturation-based conflicts with their families and community. Promoting a low level of acculturative stress and high resilience is key to shaping interventions to obtain better health outcomes among this population. Nurses can support and augment the efforts of professional nursing organizations to advocate and encourage legislation and policy to improve the physical and mental well-being of older immigrants. Policymakers should focus on additional resources for older adults from other countries to reduce their stress or enhance their resilience.

Objectives The study examined the mediating role of fall-related self-efficacy in the association between falls and mental health among older Korean Americans living in subsidized senior housing in the greater Los Angeles area. We focused on serious fall incidents (i.e. multiple falls or any fall with a fracture) and used symptoms of depression and anxiety as indicators of mental health. Method Survey data from 315 participants (M age = 79.4 years) were used to examine the direct effects of serious fall incidents on mental health symptoms, as well as indirect effects through fall-related self-efficacy. Results The mediating effect of fall-related self-efficacy was found to be significant in both models for depressive symptoms (B [SE] = 0.15 [0.07], bias-corrected 95% CI = [0.03, 0.31]) and anxiety symptoms (B [SE] = 0.11 [0.05], bias-corrected 95% CI = [0.02, 0.23]). Conclusion The mental health impact of serious fall incidents was shaped by older individuals’ perceived concerns about falls and confidence in performance. The findings highlight the importance of addressing fall-related psychological responses in preventing falls and promoting mental health among senior housing residents.

Associations between mental and oral health in Spain: a cross-sectional study of more than 23,000 people aged 15 years and over

This study examined differences in health and access to dental services among a nationally representative sample of patients with HIV using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. This investigation is a longitudinal study that used structural equation modeling to analyze data from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study, a probability sample of 2,864 adults under treatment for HIV infection. Key predisposing variables included sex, drug use, race/ethnicity, education, and age. Enabling factors included income, insurance, and regular source of care. Need factors included mental, physical, and oral health. Dependent variables included whether a respondent utilized dental services and number of visits. More education, dental insurance, usual source of dental care, and poor oral health predicted a higher probability of having a dental visit. African Americans, Hispanics, those exposed to HIV through drug use or heterosexual contact, and those in poor physical health were less likely to have a dental visit. Of those who visited dental professionals, older persons, those with dental insurance, and those in worse oral health had more visits. African Americans and persons in poor mental health had fewer visits. Persons with more HIV-related symptoms and a diagnosis of AIDS have a greater need for dental care than those with fewer symptoms and without AIDS, but more pressing needs for physical and mental health services limit their access to dental services. Providers should better attend to the oral health needs of persons with HIV who are in poor physical and mental health.

Valuing oral health: Accomplishments and challenges

To assess the relationship between food insecurity, sleep quality, and days with mental and physical health issues among college students. An online survey was administered. Food insecurity was assessed using the ten-item Adult Food Security Survey Module. Sleep was measured using the nineteen-item Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Mental health and physical health were measured using three items from the Healthy Days Core Module. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assess the relationship between food insecurity, sleep quality, and days with poor mental and physical health. Twenty-two higher education institutions. College students (n 17 686) enrolled at one of twenty-two participating universities. Compared with food-secure students, those classified as food insecure (43·4 %) had higher PSQI scores indicating poorer sleep quality (P < 0·0001) and reported more days with poor mental (P < 0·0001) and physical (P < 0·0001) health as well as days when mental and physical health prevented them from completing daily activities (P < 0·0001). Food-insecure students had higher adjusted odds of having poor sleep quality (adjusted OR (AOR): 1·13; 95 % CI 1·12, 1·14), days with poor physical health (AOR: 1·01; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·02), days with poor mental health (AOR: 1·03; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·03) and days when poor mental or physical health prevented them from completing daily activities (AOR: 1·03; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·04). College students report high food insecurity which is associated with poor mental and physical health, and sleep quality. Multi-level policy changes and campus wellness programmes are needed to prevent food insecurity and improve student health-related outcomes.

Mental and oral health are interrelated, and problems in one area usually affect the other. This review discusses the complex relationships between oral and mental health, particularly the psychosocial challenges faced by individuals with mental health disorders in maintaining oral hygiene, including stigma, lack of access to care, and financial barriers. It also discusses how psychiatric conditions influence oral health, with regard to issues such as dry mouth, gum disease, and tooth decay, and how poor oral health can aggravate mental well-being. Preventive measures, treatment approaches, and solutions to overcome these barriers are also discussed. Methodological rigor was achieved by systematically searching high-impact journals indexed in PubMed and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed publications published between 2000 and 2024. High-impact journals have a high impact factor and rigorous peer-review standards. Articles that did not undergo peer review, articles published in languages other than English, or those that were not accessible (because access was closed unless key information was available through abstracts or summaries) were excluded. It mentions the relevance of integrating mental health services with oral health services, with a focus on individualized care, interdisciplinary cooperation, and creative strategies to break down systemic barriers, resulting in better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

To assess the medium-term post-Katrina mental and physical health of New Orleans residents and to determine demographic, social and environmental factors that predict poor mental and physical health. Major disasters can have a negative impact on the health of survivors for prolonged periods. Although the initial and short-term impacts of Hurricane Katrina have been well described, the medium-term impacts have not been studied as thoroughly. Cross-sectional survey. A convenience sample (n = 222) of residents in Gentilly area of New Orleans completed questionnaires between 16 and 18 December 2006. Multivariate logistic regression and multiple regression models were employed to determine predictors of poor mental and physical health. Poor mental health was reported by 52% of the respondents. Pre-Katrina depression [odds ratio (OR) = 19.1], post-Katrina depression (OR = 7.2), poor physical health (OR = 5.6), feeling unsafe from crime (OR = 4.3) and female gender (OR = 2.6) were significant predictor variables of poor mental health. Twenty-four percent of the variance in number of days of poor mental health was explained by the independent variables (R(2) = 0.24; p < 0.001). Poor physical health was reported by 48% of the respondents. Poor mental health (OR = 3.9), lack of money to buy food (OR = 2.7) and pre-Katrina arthritis (OR = 2.6) were significant predictor variables of poor physical health. Twenty-three percent of the variance in number of days of poor physical health was explained by the independent variables (R(2) = 0.23; p < 0.001). Approximately half of the New Orleans residents continue to experience poor mental and physical health 15 months after Katrina. The results support focusing post-Katrina efforts to protect residents from crime, improve mental health services to the depressed and improve food supply to the poor. Identifying predictors of poor mental and physical health may help clinicians and policy makers to focus their efforts in ameliorating the post-disaster health sequelae.