Engagement In Productive Activities Research Articles

Substance Abuse among Male Adolescents in Dhaka North City: A Comparative Study on Causes, Consequences, Knowledge, and Attitudes

Aims: This study aimed to assess the causes, consequences, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of substance abuse among male adolescents in Dhaka North City and compare the knowledge between male adolescents attending schools and colleges who do not use drugs and substance abusers from rehabilitation centers.
 Study Design: This was a comparative cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Dhaka North City, Bangladesh, from January to December 2023.
 Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional design was used to study substance abuse among male adolescents in Dhaka North City. Data were collected from two groups, drug addicts and non-addicts, using a pretested questionnaire. A two-stage sampling method was applied. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 365 and IBM SPSS Statistics 27, employing descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of less than 0.05.
 Results: The findings revealed the strong influence of peer relationships, family dynamics, parental education and occupation, and misconceptions and attitudes toward substance abuse among male adolescents. Drug addicts reported higher frequencies of parental conflict, secrecy, and hiding information from their parents, indicating a breakdown in communication and trust within the parent-child relationship. Drug addicts also had significantly higher monthly family income and higher education levels of their parents compared to non-addicts, suggesting that higher financial resources and education may play a role in the increased risk of substance abuse. Additionally, drug addicts had a higher proportion of deceased mothers compared to non-addicts, indicating a potential influence of maternal status on substance abuse. Preventive measures, such as counselling, treatment, religious education, and engagement in productive activities, were highly endorsed by both drug addicts and non-addicts.
 Conclusion: This study contributes valuable insights into drug addiction among male adolescents in Dhaka North City. The findings underscore the importance of addressing peer influence, strengthening family dynamics, dispelling misconceptions, providing accurate knowledge, and implementing evidence-based preventive measures. By adopting a comprehensive approach, stakeholders can work towards reducing the prevalence and impact of drug addiction among adolescents.

A - 15 Elucidating Patterns of Naturalistic Behavior in those with Self-Reported Functional Cognitive Decline.

There is relatively little known about the effect of subjective cognitive decline on everyday behaviors in community-dwelling older adults. We investigated use of compensatory strategies, busyness, and engagement in productive activities in older adults with subjective decline versus those without subjective decline. 353 adults (65+ years old) completed an online survey including demographic information, self-reported decline in functional cognition (Everyday Cognition Questionnaire; ECog), subjective busyness (Martin and Park Environmental Demands Questionnaire), engagement in productive activities (Temple Activities Engagement Questionnaire), and use of compensatory strategies (Memory Compensation Questionnaire). Two-tailed t-tests compared these variables amongst two groups: "decliners," (ECog Score > 1.49) and "non-decliners," (ND; ECog Score < 1.50). There were no significant differences in demographics between the decliners (mean age = 76.68, sd = 8.22, p = 3.00; mean edu = 15.55, sd = 3.97, p = 0.91) and ND (mean age = 75.71, sd = 6.93; mean edu = 15.50, sd = 3.19). Decliners reported greater use of compensatory strategies (mean = 95.58, sd = 20.21, p < 0.001) compared to ND (mean = 80.43, sd = 19.56). Decliners also reported greater daily busyness (mean = 14.47, sd = 5.7, p = 0.002) compared to ND (mean = 12.66, sd = 4.19), but no difference in the engagement in productive activities. Decliners utilize more compensatory strategies in their daily lives (e.g., using external aids, concentrating harder, etc.), and report feeling busier despite no difference in engagement of productive daily tasks. Future work should clarify how compensatory strategies in decliners are used and whether increased busyness reflects increased task demands or the use of compensatory strategies. Psychoeducation should promote compensatory strategies that are effective and alleviate subjective busyness.

Understanding the value of autonomous vehicles – an empirical meta-synthesis

ABSTRACT Value of Time (VOT) is a key element in transport infrastructure planning decisions. It is widely believed that travellers using autonomous vehicles (AVs) will have a lower VOT than conventional vehicles (CVs) because of improved road safety, increased road capacity, engagement in productive activity during travel and increased mobility. A number of researchers have measured VOT effects of AVs though no consolidation of this evidence has been undertaken to date. This is the first study to provide a quantitative summary and synthesis of the estimated VOT of AV travel including a synthesis of factors affecting AV VOT. Meta-analyses of 24 studies show that mean VOTs for conventional cars, private AVs and shared AVs are respectively 17.3, 12.1 and 19.4 AU$/hr. However, wide variations in these estimates are evident and 12 factors have been identified with statistically significant effects on these variations including geographical context, study experimental characteristics, trip characteristics and socio-economic factors. We found that AV VOT estimates are lower when animated videos are used to demonstrate AV capabilities. Private AVs have the lowest VOT estimates as do commute trips and morning peak periods. Young adults (18–30 years) and people with current driving experience consistently report lower AV VOT while those with higher educational status and higher-incomes report having higher AV VOT. Implications of findings for policy and future research are presented.

Engagement in productive activities and suicidal ideation among female older adults in South Korea

Despite the rapid increase in the older population in South Korea, the quality of life of older adults remains low. The suicide rate of older adults in South Korea is among the highest of all OECD countries. Using data from 2012 (wave 4) to 2020 (wave 8) of the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families (KLoWF), this study examined the effects of participation in productive activities on suicidal ideation among South Korean female older adults. This study derived three key findings. First, although there were differences regarding the type of productive activity, participation in productive activity could reduce the probability of experiencing suicidal ideation. Participation in housework as a productive activity related to daily life had the greatest marginal effect. Second, the more productive activities one participated in, the lower the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Third, the economic and health status of older women had a significant effect on suicidal ideation. The marginal effect of health status was greater than that of economic status. This study not only makes an academic contribution but also has policy implications for the field of public health.

Social globalization, well‐being indicators and unaccompanied child migration from Central America

AbstractThis research investigates the effect of well‐being indicators and social globalization on the migration of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) from Central America. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the surge in UAC that began in 2014 at the U.S. southern border is driven primarily by violence or whether other factors are at play. The apprehension of UAC serves as a proxy for measuring unaccompanied child migration to the United States. Unemployment rates of young adults and expected years of schooling are included as a measure of youth engagement in productive activities, while homicide rates measure the threat to leading a productive, healthy life. Global social network links are considered as possible pull factors of migration and measured through a social globalization index. The results of a fixed effects regression model reveal that youth idleness, along with increased social globalization, prove to be significant in explaining heightened UAC migration.

Providing Psychological Support to Parents of Childhood Cancer Survivors: 'Cascade' Intervention Trial Results and Lessons for the Future.

Simple SummaryWe assessed a new group-based cognitive behavior therapy videoconferencing program to support parents of childhood cancer survivors. The trial allocated parents to three groups: Cascade, peer-support, waitlist. Cascade achieved good parent engagement. We successfully delivered Cascade to participants who lived >3200 km apart. Any technical difficulties caused only minor disruptions. Most Cascade parents were satisfied and reported experiencing benefits from the program. However, Cascade did not improve our main outcomes, including parents’ quality of life, depression and anxiety. Cascade parents reported a short-term improvement in their confidence to use the skills they learnt, but this did not translate into actual use. After six months, Cascade parents felt their child survivor had lower psychological health than waitlisted parents. Our findings show that while some parents find Cascade helpful, it may not suit everyone. We used these findings to further improve Cascade and will trial the new version in future.We conducted a three-armed trial to assess Cascade, a four-module group videoconferencing cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) intervention for parents of childhood cancer survivors currently aged <18 years. We allocated parents to Cascade, an attention control (peer-support group), or a waitlist. The primary outcome was parents’ health-related quality of life (PedsQL-Family Impact/EQ-5D-5L) six months post-intervention. Parents also reported their anxiety/depression, parenting self-agency, fear of recurrence, health service and psychotropic medication use, engagement in productive activities, confidence to use, and actual use of, CBT skills, and their child’s quality of life. Seventy-six parents opted in; 56 commenced the trial. Cascade achieved good parent engagement and most Cascade parents were satisfied and reported benefits. Some parents expressed concerns about the time burden and the group format. Most outcomes did not differ across trial arms. Cascade parents felt more confident to use more CBT skills than peer-support and waitlisted parents, but this did not lead to more use of CBT. Cascade parents reported lower psychosocial health scores for their child than waitlisted parents. Cascade parents’ health service use, psychotropic medication use, and days engaged in productive activities did not improve, despite some improvements in waitlisted parents. Our trial was difficult to implement, but participants were largely satisfied. Cascade did not improve most outcomes, possibly because many parents were functioning well pre-enrolment. We used these findings to improve Cascade and will trial the new version in future.

Productive Activities But Not Paid Work Relate to Well-Being in Older Adults.

Productive activity engagement may positively contribute to the subjective well-being (SWB) of older adults during retirement. The current study explored the relationships between paid work and productive activities and SWB in Medicare beneficiary older adults predominantly living in the community. The 2015-2016 data (N = 2,916) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study were used. Multiple linear regressions with complex survey data were performed. Aside from paid work, the productive activities included in the analyses were volunteer work, caregiving role, social participation, online networking, and physical activity. After controlling for health-related, sociodemographic, and baseline SWB variables, three productive activities, but not paid work, were significantly related to SWB. Older adults who were physically active, engaged in volunteer work, and had increased social participation had significantly increased SWB. These findings encourage older adults to remain physically active and engage when possible in productive activities that are more social than economic in nature. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(1), 24-32.].

Selling Together: The Benefits of Cooperatives to Women Honey Producers in Ethiopia

AbstractSmallholder farmers in developing countries encounter multiple barriers in access to inputs and technology, which prevent them from reaping the benefits from market participation. Women farmers face additional constraints due to gender norms that further limit their engagement in productive activities. While collective action has been shown to improve access to markets and economic outcomes for farmers overall, the evidence on the effects of cooperative membership for women smallholders remains limited. We investigate empirically the economic benefits of collective action for women farmers in the honey sector in Ethiopia. Relying on a rich data set on women honey producers, both cooperative members and non‐members, we evaluate the effects of belonging to a cooperative on three outcome variables through coarsened exact matching and regression analysis. Our results indicate that cooperative membership significantly increases the market price and the production quantity and, while the average effect on the share of product marketed is statistically insignificant, significant differences emerge for women with given characteristics. These results are shown to be robust to a number of tests that address biases from selection on observables and unobservables. An analysis of the heterogeneous effects of household membership in multiple groups finds that membership of self‐help groups or farmer associations amplifies the positive outcomes from belonging to a formal cooperative. Finally, qualitative findings derived from the same communities indicate self‐reported improvements in agency and self‐esteem among women members, thus reinforcing the importance of the quantitative findings.

How do activities conducted while commuting influence mode choice? Using revealed preference models to inform public transportation advantage and autonomous vehicle scenarios

From early studies of time allocation onward, it has been acknowledged that the “productive” nature of travel could affect its utility. Currently, at the margin an individual may choose transit over a shorter automobile trip, if thereby she is able to use the travel time more productively. On the other hand, recent advancements toward partly/fully automated vehicles are poised to revolutionize the perception and utilization of travel time in cars, and are further blurring the role of travel as a crisp transition between location-based activities. To quantify these effects, we created and administered a survey to measure travel multitasking attitudes and behaviors, together with general attitudes, mode-specific perceptions, and standard socioeconomic traits (N = 2229 Northern California commuters). In this paper, we present a revealed preference mode choice model that accounts for the impact of multitasking attitudes and behavior on the utility of various alternatives. We find that the propensity to engage in productive activities on the commute, operationalized as using a laptop/tablet, significantly influences utility and accounts for a small but non-trivial portion of the current mode shares. For example, the model estimates that commuter rail, transit, and car/vanpool shares would respectively be 0.11, 0.23, and 1.18 percentage points lower, and the drive-alone share 1.49 percentage points higher, if the option to use a laptop or tablet while commuting were not available. Conversely, in a hypothetical autonomous vehicles scenario, where the car would allow a high level of engagement in productive activities, the drive-alone share would increase by 1.48 percentage points. The results empirically demonstrate the potential of a multitasking propensity to reduce the disutility of travel time. Further, the methodology can be generalized to account for other properties of autonomous vehicles, among other applications.

Does engagement in productive activities affect mental health and well-being in older adults with a chronic physical disability? Observational evidence from a Swiss cohort study

Objectives: To investigate type and load of productive activities as potential determinants of mental health and well-being in elderly persons with a physical disability.Methods: We used data from a Swiss population-based sample of 314 adults at or past the legal retirement age (65 for men, 64 for women) who live with a chronic physical disability, spinal cord injury. Engagement in housework, volunteering, and paid work were dichotomized (no; some engagement) and three groups of engagement types were constructed (none; housework only; volunteering and/or paid work). Load of engagement was appraised using a sumscore on the overall frequency as well as the total number of performed activities. We used regression modelling to draw causal inference regarding the associations of type and load of engagement with general mental health (Mental Health Inventory, SF-36), self-reported depression (Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire, SCQ), and well-being (WHOQoL-BREF items).Results: Engagement in volunteering was positively related to well-being. Persons engaged only in housework reported better well-being and lower prevalence of depression than non-engaged persons, however, persons engaged in volunteering or paid work reported the highest well-being and the lowest prevalence of depression. The productivity sumscore tertiles and the number of performed activities were both positively linked to well-being and negatively linked to depression, while their association with general mental health was less pronounced.Conclusion: Strengthening the engagement in productive activities among the elderly with a chronic physical disability is suggested as a promising strategy to promote well-being and reduce the prevalence of depression.

Sustainability of community-owned mini-grids: evidence from India

BackgroundCommunity-owned solar mini-grids (SMGs) are increasingly promoted to provide communities access to reliable electricity, empowering local actors as they become active stakeholders in projects. However, early failures and difficulties in building local capacity have raised questions regarding their long-term sustainability and ability to be replicated to provide socio-economic benefits to the communities. This study assesses the sustainability of 24 community-owned SMGs in India operating over extensive periods of time using a novel scoring framework using mixed methods to derive its conclusions.ResultsThe study found that institutional, financial, and technical capacities, central for the SMG’s long-term sustainability, could be achieved through community engagement from early stages, if communities are allowed freedom to develop governance procedures while at the same time clarifying roles and responsibilities. This creates strong sense of ownership that is key for effective and inclusive governance. User satisfaction, ensured through provision of usable supply in line with users’ expectations, motivates actors to make regular payments, thus leading to economic sustenance. While social and environmental benefits were observed, energy consumption and engagement in productive activities remained marginal.ConclusionsThe study reports an example of community-owned SMG model that has been replicated sustainably over many cases, overcoming key challenges related to appropriate financial and technical management and producing positive social impact. Low engagement in productive activities was more a factor of the local socio-cultural contexts, rather than limited paying capacities of the users. To increase energy utilization and create environments for sustainable rural living, the study recommends implementation of systems that link energy with other rural development needs such as agriculture or water provision. The study also recommends more use of qualitative and quantitative data for impact analysis to ensure that conclusions are generalizable and provide rich contextual explanations for the observed phenomena.

Productive activities, mental health and quality of life in disability: exploring the role enhancement and the role strain hypotheses

BackgroundEngagement in productive activities is an important determinant of mental health and quality of life (QoL). Persons with physical disabilities are often confronted with constraints to engage in productive activities and it remains largely unknown whether persons who nevertheless manage to be productive experience beneficial effects for mental health and QoL. This is the first study to analyse different productive activities (paid work, volunteering, education, housework) and its gender-specific associations with mental health and QoL in the disability setting, testing two contrasting hypotheses of Role Theory, the role strain and the role enhancement hypotheses.MethodsWe used data from a representative sample of 1157 men and women of employable age who sustained a severe physical disability (spinal cord injury). Load of engagement in paid work, volunteering, education, and housework was classified into three groups (none; moderate; high). To assess the total productivity load, a score over the four items was calculated. Diversity of engagement was assessed with variables on the number and combination of activities. Tobit regressions were applied to evaluate associations of load and diversity of engagement in productive activities with mental health (Mental Health Inventory, SF-36) and QoL (WHOQoL-BREF items).ResultsWe found that the total productivity load and the load of paid work were positively related to mental health and QoL in men. Individuals with moderate engagement in volunteering reported better mental health (both genders) and QoL (in women) than those with higher or no engagement. Our results support the role enhancement hypothesis, as mental health (in men) and QoL (both genders) increased with the number of performed activities. In men who had paid work, mental health and QoL increased consistently with each additional unpaid activity. In contrast, engagement in paid work played a minor role for mental health and QoL in women.ConclusionThis study in the disability setting provided clear support for the role enhancement hypothesis. Future research on the mechanisms behind the observed associations is warranted to develop interventions and policies that strengthen resources important for engagement in productive activities as well as for mental health and QoL in persons with physical disabilities.

Subjective and Objective Measures of Daytime Activity and Sleep Disturbance in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Objectively measured limitations in daytime activity levels appear to be inextricably linked with sleep disturbances in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients, as well as associated with unemployment status and central vision loss. Innovative interventional strategies should be developed to help improve these issues and overall quality of life for RP patients. Novel sensor devices are emerging as valuable tools to objectively assess behavior. We used validated measures of wrist accelerometry to determine relationships between sleep, vision, and physical activity in RP subjects. For one week, 33 RP adults wore a wrist Actiwatch to detect movement during the day (average total activity counts) and disturbed sleep at night. They completed Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity testing, Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity, Goldmann V4e visual fields, and sleep diaries and validated questionnaires to assess their sleep and general health. Greater wake after sleep onset time measured with actigraphy (i.e., sleep disruption) (P = .01), loss of visual acuity (P = .009), and nonemployment/student status (P = .002) were all significant predictors of reduced daytime average total activity counts in a multiple linear regression model, after adjusting for contrast sensitivity as a cooperative suppressor variable (P = .01) (R = 0.54). Fragmentation measured with actigraphy (i.e., restlessness during sleep) (P = .07) and decreased sleep quality ratings reported upon awakening by the participants in a sleep diary (P = .06) were each marginally associated with reduced daytime average total activity counts, whereas nonemployment/student status, reduced visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity were still significant predictors. Objective and subjective measures of sleep or daytime activity were not statistically significantly correlated (P > .05). We find nonemployment/student status and sleep disturbances appear to be related to reduced daytime activity levels in adults with central vision loss due to RP. These findings underscore the importance of developing and evaluating interventions to help RP patients maintain engagement in productive activities and improve their disturbed sleep.

Human, social and cultural predictors of productive activities in later life

AbstractWhile considerable scholarly attention has been given to factors influencing productive activity, less is known about how multiple forms of resources predict the maintenance or initiation of such activity over time. Using two-wave panel data of older adults from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), the study investigated the relationship between measures of capital and changes in multiple types of productive activity. Findings showed that all three types of capital were associated with volunteering in cross-sectional analyses, but only education, neighbourhood socialisation and religious service attendance remain significant predictors of continued volunteerism. Human capital strongly influenced employment both cross-sectionally and over time. Aspects of social capital – marital status and network size – were linked to participation and initiation of care-giving activities. The findings demonstrate that different patterns emerge in cross-sectional and two-wave panel data of multiple productive activities, adjusting for baseline activity level and selective attrition. The project also suggests factors that promote or hinder continued engagement in productive activity.

Productive activities, mental functioning and well-being in disability: Exploring the role enhancement and the role strain hypotheses

Background Engagement in productive activities is an important determinant of mental functioning and well-being. Persons with physical disabilities are often confronted with constraints to engage in productive activities and it remains largely unknown whether persons who nevertheless manage to be productive experience beneficial effects for mental functioning and well-being. This is the first study to analyse different productive activities (paid work, volunteering, education, housework) and its gender-specific associations with mental functioning and well-being in the disability setting, testing two contrasting hypotheses of Role Theory, the role strain and the role enhancement hypotheses. Methods We used data from a representative sample of 1157 men and women of employable age who sustained a severe physical disability (spinal cord injury). Load of engagement in paid work, volunteering, education, and housework was classified into three groups (none; moderate; high). To assess the total productivity load, a score over the four items was calculated. Diversity of engagement in productive activities was assessed with variables on the number and combination of activities. Tobit regressions were applied to evaluate associations of load and diversity of engagement in productive activities with mental functioning (Mental Health Inventory, SF-36) and well-being (WHOQoL-BREF items). Results We found that the total productivity load and the load of paid work were positively related to mental functioning and well-being in men. Individuals with moderate engagement in volunteering reported better mental functioning (both genders) and well-being (in women) than those with higher or no engagement. Our results support the role enhancement hypothesis, as mental functioning (in men) and well-being (both genders) increased with the number of performed activities. In men who had paid work, mental functioning and well-being increased consistently with each additional unpaid activity. In contrast, engagement in paid work played a minor role for mental functioning and well-being in women. Conclusion This study in the disability setting provided clear support for the role enhancement hypothesis. Future research on the mechanisms behind the observed associations is warranted to develop interventions and policies that strengthen resources important for engagement in productive activities as well as for mental functioning and well-being in persons with physical disabilities.

Sustainability of Community-Owned Mini-Grids: Evidence From India

Background: To ensure universal access to electricity, community-owned mini-grid systems are gaining popularity, particularly for remote locations in developing countries where central grid extension is technically and economically challenging. However, our understanding of the conditions ensuring the long-term sustainability of these solutions and their ability to produce socio-economic benefits is still limited. To reveal these issues, we study 24 community-owned Solar Mini-Grids (SMGs) using a multi-dimensional and multi-tier framework. These implementations are developed by a single social enterprise and span a few months to over five years of operation. Results: We find that the underlying model analysed is capable of providing a consistently high quality, durable, reliable and affordable power supply. Strong community engagement from early stages helps to create effective and inclusive governance, motivating users to make regular payments, thus ensuring economic model sustenance and overall satisfaction of the users. These factors contribute to social and environmental benefits, particularly in terms of increased safety, a strong sense of community connectedness, child education, and improved air quality. However, energy consumption and engagement in productive activities remains marginal. Conclusions: The multi-dimensional analysis revealed that community-owned energy interventions can be developed sustainably, provided quality of power supply is good and there is a deep engagement with local communities. However, dedicated interventions are needed for communities to benefit from energy access beyond the purpose of illumination. Particularly, those at the nexus of energy and rural development, for example agriculture, water and sanitation, can help in creating environments suitable for sustainable rural living.

The role of productive activities in the lives of adolescents: Photovoice evidence from Malawi

Adolescence is an important transitional period, separate from both childhood and adulthood. Critical physical and mental development occurs during adolescence, including emotional skills, physical, and mental abilities. Behaviors adopted during this lifecourse period have critical implications for adolescents' future health and well-being. The main research question of the present study is: what is the role of productive activities in the lives and development of adolescents in rural Malawi? As part of this study, selected adolescents from poor rural households were asked to take photographs of their daily (productive) activities. These photographs served as a starting point for focus group discussions. In addition to including adolescents, we conducted qualitative interviews with caregivers and teachers to triangulate and obtain a more holistic understanding of adolescent engagement in productive activities. The main themes that emerged were that 1) the work that is conducted by adolescent boys and girls inside and outside the household is not only perceived by adolescents as a product of poverty, but as a point of pride, as well as a potential means of providing for one's future, 2) there is a tension between the needs of the family and schooling, and 3) adolescent productive activities are associated with minor although not negligible hazards and injuries. We discuss that these qualitative findings help to better understand how social protection interventions, such as Malawi's Social Cash Transfer Program, may affect adolescent engagement in work and adolescent wellbeing more generally.

Work and family conflicts in employees with spinal cord injury and their caregiving partners

Study design:Cross-sectional, observational.Objectives:To investigate the association of conflicts between work and family life with indicators of health and to examine the antecedents of those conflicts in employees with spinal cord injury (SCI) and their caregiving partners.Setting:Community, Switzerland.Methods:Data from employed persons with SCI (n=79) and caregiving partners (n=93) who participated in the pro-WELL study were used. Logistic and tobit regressions were performed to assess the association of work–family and family–work conflicts with health indicators, namely mental health (36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)), vitality (SF-36), well-being (WHOQoL BREF) and positive and negative affect (Positive and Negative Affect Scale short form (PANAS-S)). Own and partners’ engagement in productive activities and socioeconomic circumstances were evaluated as potential antecedents of work–family and family–work conflicts using logistic regression.Results:Work–family conflicts were related to reduced mental health (caregiving partners only), vitality and well-being. Family–work conflicts were linked to reduced mental health, vitality, well-being and positive affect in SCI and to reduced vitality in caregiving partners. Persons with lower income (SCI only) and lower subjective social position reported more conflicts than persons with higher income and higher subjective position. Higher workload increased work–family conflicts in caregiving partners and decreased family–work conflicts in SCI. Education, amount of caregiving, care-receiving and partners’ employment status were not associated with the occurrence of conflicts.Conclusion:The optimal balance between work and family life is important to promote mental health, vitality and well-being in employees with SCI and their caregiving partners. This is especially true in employees perceiving their social position as low and in caregivers with a high workload.

Patterns of productive activity engagement as a longitudinal predictor of depressive symptoms among older adults in urban China

ABSTRACTObjectives: Using two waves of panel data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this study prospectively assessed whether four distinct patterns of productive activity engagement would predict depressive symptoms among older adults in urban China two years later.Methods: A sample of urban residents aged 60 or above at Wave 1 and who were interviewed in both waves (N = 2398) was used. Latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted to identify distinct patterns of productive activity engagement that occurred within the Wave 1 data. Next, the generalized estimating equations were used to assess whether identified patterns predicted the levels of depressive symptoms measured at Wave 2.Results: Our use of LCA confirmed the existence of four distinct patterns of productive activity engagement among the study sample: Informal Helper/Carer, Working–Caring Engager, Civic Contributor, and Low/Spousal Carer. All of these three patterns exhibited significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms than that of Low/Spousal Carer two years later.Conclusions: Our use of individual-based categorization of productive engagement better captured the reality of older adults performing various productive activities than summative scales of productive activities did and, therefore, provided a more valid clarification of differential well-being outcomes among older adults.

Patterns of productive activity engagement among older adults in urban China.

This study aims to identify patterns of productive activity engagement among older adults in urban China. Once patterns are identified, we further explore how a set of individual characteristics is associated with these patterns. Using data from the 2011 baseline survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we performed a latent class analysis (LCA) on a national representative sample of adults aged 60years and over (N=3019). A specified range of productive activity indicators that fit the context of urban China was used for performing LCA (including working, grandchildren's care, parental care, spousal care, informal helping, and formal volunteering). A multinomial logistic regression was used to assess whether individual characteristics are associated with the identified patterns. The results indicated that a four-class model fit the data well, with the interpretable set of classes: spouse carer (51.2%), working grandparents (21.7%), multifaceted contributor (16.6%), and light-engaged volunteer (10.5%). Age, gender, education, number of children, proximity with the nearest child, household composition and functional status contributed to differentiating these classes. This study captured the reality of productive engagement among older adults by drawing attention to how multiple productive activities intersect in later-life stages. Our findings have implications for policy-makers, health care practitioners, and community advocates to develop programs that facilitate this aging population in assuming meaningful productive activities.