Higher Emotional Well-being Research Articles

Emotional Well-Being Under Conditions of Lockdown: An Experience Sampling Study in Austria During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and attendant lockdown measures present serious threats to emotional well-being worldwide. Here, we examined the extent to which being outdoors (vs. indoors), the experience of loneliness, and screen-time are associated with emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic using an experiencing sampling method. In April 2020, Austrian adults (N = 286, age M = 31.0 years) completed a 21-day experience sampling phase in which they reported their emotional well-being (i.e., happiness), whether they were indoors or outdoors, and loneliness at three random time-points each day, as well as their daily screen-time. Results indicated that being outdoors was associated with higher emotional well-being, whereas greater loneliness and greater daily screen-time were associated with poorer well-being. Additionally, the impact of loneliness on well-being was weaker when participants were outdoors than indoors. These results have health policy implications for the promotion of population well-being during pandemics.

Mental health and related factors among adolescents

The aim of this study was to describe patterns and potential factors of mental health, including emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing among Indonesian adolescents. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was implemented. The sample consisted of 203 junior high school students from four schools (private and public schools) in Bali. Participants completed a one-time, self-report questionnaire on mental health and individual, family, and social community factors. Descriptive, pearson correlation, and logistic regression were used for the analysis. Approximately 44.3% of adolescents were flourishing, 42.4% had moderate mental health, and 13.3% were languishing. Almost all adolescents had high emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. Self-esteem, behavioral problems, strength, hyperactivity, coping mechanisms, family relationships, social support from parents, teachers, peers, and classmates were perceived as contributing to adolescents' mental health. Adolescents individuals need to develop adaptive coping abilities to deal with events positively. The involvement of parents and proximity between peers and school environments are needed to strengthen adolescent mental health. There needs to be a comprehensive between adolescents, family, and community as well as interventional strategies and policy directions to help adolescents maintain their mental health.

Associations Between Physical Activity, Quality Of Life And Emotional Well-being During Active Surveillance For Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective longitudinal study was to examine the association between post-diagnosis physical activity (PA), and the change in quality of life (QoL) and emotional well-being over time in men on active surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer. METHODS: Our analysis included 630 participants from AS initiation until AS discontinuation or loss to follow up. A modified Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire was used to measure post-diagnosis PA in metabolic equivalent-minutes per week (MET-min/wk). Participants were categorized based on their PA levels: inactive (<210 MET-min/wk), insufficiently active (210-499 MET-min/wk), active (500-1000 MET-min/wk), and highly active (>1000 MET-min/wk). QoL and emotional well-being were assessed by the Patient-Oriented Prostate Utility Scale. The association between post-diagnosis PA (independent variable) and QoL (dependent variable) was assessed using generalized estimated equations (GEE). GEEs were also used to determine the association between PA (independent variable) and emotional well-being (dependent variable). All models adjusted for participant’s age. RESULTS: Compared to inactive participants, active (&#946;1.14; 95%CI= 0.11, 2.16, p=0.029) and highly active (&#946;1.62; 95%CI = 0.58, 2.67; p=0.002) participants had higher QOL during AS. Highly active participants were more likely to experience high emotional well-being (OR =1.55 95%CI = 1.11, 2.16; p= 0.010) over time compared to their inactive counterparts. In a subgroup analysis for men with low emotional well-being early on during AS, engaging in > 1000 MET-min/wk (highly active) was associated with greater odds of experiencing high emotional well-being over time (OR = 2.17; 95%CI = 1.06, 4.46, p= 0.034) relative to lowest PA (<210 MET-min/wk). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the importance of PA as a supportive care strategy during AS for low-risk prostate cancer.

How does time pressure influence emotional wellbeing? Investigating the roles of domain satisfaction and neuroticism among small-business owners

Emotional wellbeing is related to the balance of positive and negative emotions associated with activities at work and in free time. We conjecture that time pressure is a factor reducing positive emotions and amplifying negative emotions, such that it has a negative relationship to emotional wellbeing. We found this to be the case in two studies based on survey data derived from samples of small-business owners in Sweden. In Study 1, the relationship between time pressure and emotional wellbeing is negative for small-business owners as well as for employed wage earners, although at work the former group experience both higher time pressure and higher emotional wellbeing than the latter. No differences in free time between the groups are observed. Study 2 provides support for the hypothesis that, both at work and in free time, domain satisfaction partially mediates the negative relationship between time pressure and emotional wellbeing. Supporting two additional hypotheses, the results indicate that neuroticism has a direct negative relationship with emotional wellbeing, and also an indirect relationship with emotional wellbeing mediated by time pressure, and furthermore moderates the negative relationship between time pressure and emotional wellbeing.

Краткосрочные эффекты от онлайн-практики медитации осознанности

The paper presents the results of a validation of an online intervention comprising a three-week course in mindfulness meditation with daily guided meditation sessions. The study used a randomised wait-list control group design with a pre-test and a post-test. Dependent variables included indicators of emotional and psychological well-being, reflective processes, self-control and self-regulation. Participants were anonymous volunteers recruited via social networks (N = 206; with N = 56 in the experimental group and N = 44 in the control group after dropout). The results indicate that taking part in a mindfulness meditation intervention is associated with higher emotional well-being, reduction of non-productive reflection (rumination), development of self-determination, self-motivation, self-relaxation, cognitive self-control and activity concentration skills. At the same time, participants who dropped out had different self-control and affective self-control scores at pre-test. The findings indicate that regular mindfulness meditation sessions as part of an online intervention develop self-regulation skills in individuals whose self-control is sufficiently high in order to adhere to a regular meditation schedule.

Wellbeing after a managed retreat: Observations from a large New Zealand program

Managed retreat programs aim to relocate households out of harm's way. In New Zealand, as elsewhere, managed retreat initiatives generate a highly polemical and emotional debate within affected communities, and between them and the government. Given the fraught implementation of managed retreats, understanding what happens to residents who are displaced by these programs is of immense importance. We examine the wellbeing of the people who were forced to move as part of a large managed-retreat program that was implemented in Christchurch, New Zealand, after the 2011 earthquake the city experienced. We consider three indicators of subjective wellbeing: quality of life, stress, and emotional wellbeing. Our aims are: (1) to describe the wellbeing of the relocated residents after they were forced to move, and identify which factors are correlated with their well-being; (2) to describe the subjective experience of the residents in their communication with the government and in their relation with the community; (3) to identify the effect of economic factors (household annual income, homeownership, and financial impacts) on their wellbeing; and (4) to relate these findings to possible policy lessons when designing managed retreat programs. We found that demographic factors, health conditions, and the type of government compensation the residents accepted, were all significant determinants of the wellbeing of the Red Zone residents. More social relations, better financial circumstances, and the perception of better government communication were also all associated positively with a higher quality of life, less stress, and higher emotional wellbeing.

Психоэмоциональное благополучие человека в трудных жизненных ситуациях

The paper explores the construct of emotional and mental well-being, a blend of personal, cognitive-evaluative and emotional features of the positive functioning of a human being. The authors study the role of emotional and mental well-being in the perception of difficult life situations: job loss, children’s life-threating disease, as well as in standard life situations. They use a set of methods to evaluate different aspects of emotional and mental well-being, including K. Riff’s methodology, “Satisfaction with life scale” by E. Diener, self-development orientation tests, a questionnaire of satisfaction with various life aspects, the methodology “Assessment of mental activation, interest, emotional tone, tension and comfort” (N.A. Kurgansky, T.A. Nemchin), integrative test of anxiety (A.P. Bizyuk, L.I. Wasserman, B.V. Iovlev), M. Fordis scale of happiness, “Semantic differential of life situation”, etc. The sample included 214 people aged 24–57 (average age: 37 years old), including 38 unemployed, 52 women with a severely ill child being treated in a hospice. The study revealed significant differences in the self-perception of life situations by people in objectively different situations. It shows the effect of emotional and mental well-being on the self-perception of the situation and the change in its role in different situations. In difficult and poorly controlled situations (child’s severe illness), emotional and mental well-being can change both downwards and upwards. In these situations, high emotional and mental well-being is an internal resource that allows more fully and unbiasedly perceiving the negative and positive aspects of the situation, which can contribute to its fruitful overcoming. In a standard life situation, high emotional and mental well-being with a more negative perception of the situation constitutes a development resource that prompts a person to life changes.

Prognostic Value of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Korean Medicine.

Objectives The impact of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on survival has been investigated in patients with various cancers. Here, we evaluated the prognostic value of HRQoL using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with Korean medicine. Methods A retrospective review of medical records and FACT-G scores of patients with advanced NSCLC who received treatment with Korean medicine was conducted. The reliability of the FACT-G was determined using Cronbach's alpha and calculating floor-and-ceiling effects. Correlations between FACT-G scores were estimated using Pearson's correlation analysis. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the prognostic impact of FACT-G scores and patients' characteristics was evaluated with Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Of the 165 enrolled patients, 115 (70%) had extrathoracic metastasis and 139 (84%) had undergone prior anticancer treatment. The median overall survival was 10.1 months. The mean FACT-G score was 65.0, and Cronbach's alpha for the FACT-G was 0.917. Age ≥65 years, male sex, smoking history, squamous-cell carcinoma, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) ≥2, and presence of extrathoracic metastasis were associated with an increased risk of mortality. High FACT-G total scores, physical well-being (PWB), emotional well-being, and functional well-being were associated with prolonged survival. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking history, ECOG-PS, histological type, and presence of extrathoracic metastasis, a high FACT-G total score (hazard ratio (HR): 0.99, p=0.032) and high PWB score (HR: 0.94, p < 0.001) were associated with prolonged survival as independent prognostic factors in patients with advanced NSCLC. Conclusion The FACT-G total score and PWB score as HRQoL measurements were significant prognostic factors for survival in advanced NSCLC patients treated with Korean medicine. This finding implies that the FACT-G can be used in clinical practice as a predictor of survival in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Learning and Facilitation (PdPc) Islamic Education in Industrial Revolution 4.0

A challenge that usually occurred in the education system nowadays is to adapt to learning and facilitating(PdPc) for facing the upcoming industrial revolution 4.0. Industrial Revolution 4.0 give big impacts to teachers to develop a group of students that have high skills, critical thinking, and emotional wellbeing. Islamic education teachers need to take action based on industrial revolution 4.0, creative and innovative using any media and sources to produce interesting (PdPc).This writing for discussing PdPc of Islamic Education that relevant to the concept of industrial revolution 4.0 by adapting Learning Skills of 21st Century, authentic learning, soft skills, and Critical Thinking Skills(HOTS).It also discusses of challenge that teachers faced in running the Islamic Education learning towards industrial revolution 4.0.

Poor emotional well-being is associated with rapid progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The study aimed to determine the impact of emotional well-being on disease aggressiveness and survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In 224 patients with ALS (without significant cognitive deficits) the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (physical function), the ALS Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40) for health-related Quality of Life and survival data were collected. Data analysis comprised logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier curves analyses and Cox regression model. Most patients reported to be worried about how the disease will affect them in the future and 67% reported to feel depressed. Patients with good emotional well-being were characterized by better physical function (higher ALSFRS-R) and lower disease aggressiveness. The association between high emotional well-being and lower disease aggressiveness was confirmed in the univariate analysis and also after adjustment for known predictors of disease progression. In the Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis the overall 1-year, 2-year and 3-year mortality did not significantly differ between patients with poor and good emotional well-being. Our study demonstrates an association between emotional well-being and disease progression. Knowing that subjective well-being is neither a necessary nor a sufficient cause of health, longitudinal studies are necessary to explore when well-being does and does not influence disease progress and survival in ALS.

Religious service attendance, health behaviors and well-being-an outcome-wide longitudinal analysis.

Previous studies of relationship between religiosity, health behaviors and well-being have showed mainly positive relationships, however, are very often limited to results of associative nature and subject to unmeasured confounding. This study focused on evaluating evidence for a positive association between religious service attendance (RSA), health behaviors and well-being in a longitudinal setting and robustness of these associations to unmeasured confounding. Three waves (2009, 2011 and 2015) of the biennial longitudinal Polish household panel study with response from 6400 respondents were analyzed. Evidence for a positive and robust association between RSA and outcome variables was evaluated using outcome-wide regression analysis with control of all variables temporally prior to the exposure and sensitivity measures (E-values) to give information on the extent to which an unmeasured confounder would need to be associated with both the exposure and the outcomes. RSA is associated with reduced risk of unhealthy behaviors (smoking, alcohol use) and higher emotional well-being. These relationships are robust to substantial unmeasured confounding and difficult to explain by reference to other, unknown, variables. Evidence for a positive relationship between RSA and other well-being variables (social, physical) was less clear. Religiosity may play an important role in public health, particularly in prevention of non-communicable diseases. The strong and robust associations between RSA and some health behaviors (i.e. tobacco use, alcohol abuse) and emotional well-being should arguably be taken into account in health education, health promotion programs, health prevention policy and psychotherapeutic approaches, particularly in more religious populations.

The impact of Deep Brain Stimulation on the sexual function of patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is used in the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) with well-established benefits over motor complications. However, few studies addressing the impact of DBS on nonmotor dimensions such as sexual function have been conducted. This study aims to determine the effect of DBS-STN on the sexual activity of patients with PD and to establish predictive factors for sexual function decline after surgery. Materials and methods Twenty-one patients with PD submitted to DBS-STN were compared with 19 eligible surgery candidates. Clinical measures included disease progression (Hoehn and Yahr scale), sexual function evaluation (Female Sexual Function Index and International Index of Erectile Function), severity of depressive symptoms (Beck Depressive Inventory-II), motor symptoms (Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III), and quality of life (39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire). The primary outcomes were the development of sexual dysfunction in women and erectile dysfunction in men. Regression analysis was performed to outline risk factors for developing sexual function deterioration. Results Erectile dysfunction was present in 83.3% of men and sexual dysfunction in 77.8% of women treated with DBS-STN. Women with sexual dysfunction had higher emotional well-being 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire scores (P=0.017) and a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (P=0.012) comparing with women without sexual dysfunction. Age was an independent predictive factor for developing erectile dysfunction in men (relative risk=1.26; P=0.033) and sexual dysfunction in women (relative risk =1.30; P=0.039), regardless of DBS-STN submission. Conclusions Sexual function in both sexes of patients with PD does not seem to be influenced by DBS-STN itself, but by psychological and clinical features.

The utility of patient reported data in a gynecologic oncology clinic

BackgroundMeasuring QoL is essential to the field of gynecologic oncology but there seems to be limited standardized data regarding collecting QoL assessments throughout a patient’s cancer treatment especially in non-clinical trial patients. The aim of this study is to explore patient characteristics that may be associated with poor quality of life (QoL) in women with gynecologic cancers at two University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) sites.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among English speaking women with gynecologic malignancies at the University of Arizona Cancer Centers in Phoenix and Tucson from April 2012 to July 2015. The survey was a paper packet of questions that was distributed to cancer patients at the time of their clinic visit. The packet contained questions on demographic information, treatment, lifestyle characteristics, pelvic pain and Health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Measures included the generic and cancer-specific scores on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G) and the Female Genitourinary Pain Index (GUPI). The total scores and subdomains were compared with descriptive variables (age, body mass index (BMI), diet, exercise, disease status, treatment and support group attendance) using Cronbach alpha (α), Spearman rank correlations (ρ), and Holm’s Bonferroni method.ResultsOne–hundred and forty-nine women completed the survey; 55% (N = 81) were older than 60 years, 38% (N = 45) were obese (BMI > 30), 46% (N = 66) exercised daily, and 84% (N = 111) ate one or more daily serving of fruit and vegetables. Women in remission, those who exercised daily and ate fruits/vegetables were less likely to have their symptoms impact their QoL. Younger women were more likely to report genitourinary issues (p = − 0.22) and overall problems with QoL (p = − 0.29) than older women. Among FACT-G support group responses, we found those that did not attend support groups had a significantly higher emotional wellbeing (p = 0.05).ConclusionsThis study identified potential areas of clinical focus, which aid in understanding our approach to caring for gynecologic cancer patients and improvement of their HRQoL. We identified that age, pelvic pain, and lifestyle characteristics have indicators to poor QoL in women with gynecologic cancers. In this population, younger women and those with pelvic pain complaints, poor diet and exercise habits should be targeted early for supportive care interventions to improve QoL throughout both treatment and survivorship.

Looking Beyond Distress: A Call for Spanning the Continuum of Mental Health Care.

BackgroundDespite mental health’s definition as a state of well-being, mental health research and practice has often narrowly focused on pathology and distress. The identification, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental illness are the primary activities pertaining to the role of mental health professionals, but only focusing on these primary activities carries the risk of neglecting other legitimate responsibilities related to prevention of illness and promotion of wellness. Therefore, it becomes important to highlight the potential utility of separately examining levels of distress, alongside levels of well-being in community samples. The goal of this study was to determine the extent to which low levels of distress or a lack of significant distress co-occurs with high levels of well-being in a sample of urban Indian adults.MethodsStandardized measures of psychological distress, along with measures of emotional, psychological, and social well-being, were used in a sample of 300 adults aged 20 to 60 years. The participation of community-dwelling adults who could respond to the questionnaires in English or Hindi (the most widely spoken and official language in India) was solicited through posting announcements on various platforms in a metropolitan city in Southern India. The participants had the option to respond to the questionnaires via a paper-pencil version or through an online Google survey. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K-10) on which a score over 19 indicated significant distress. We used the 25th and 75th percentile points on the respective distributions of scores to determine high, low, and moderate ranges on the three measures of well-being.ResultsBoth men and women were well represented in the sample (47% and 53%, respectively). Approximately 41% were young adults, nearly 30% were in the 36 to 45-year age group, and 30% were in the 46 to 60-year age group. Approximately 48% of the overall sample (N = 143) exhibited an absence of significant distress. Patterns of well-being were examined in this group of low-distress participants. Only 13% of low-distress participants exhibited high emotional well-being (i.e., had a high positivity ratio) and high psychosocial functioning (i.e., had high psychological and social well-being). As many as 37.8% exhibited low well-being on at least one of the three measures of well-being, despite being low on distress. In other words, low well-being scores were fairly common in conjunction with non-significant levels of distress.ConclusionReliance on low distress for operationalization of mental health may mask lower levels of emotional well-being and psychosocial functioning in a given population. The findings underscore the need to span the entire continuum of mental health care by routinely including preventive and promotive aspects in research and practice.

Association between weight status and men’s positive mental health: The influence of marital status

The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the association between weight status and men's positive mental health, defined as the presence of symptoms of emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and (2) evaluate the moderating effect of marital status. A total of 645 men aged between 19 and 71 years self-reported their height and weight and answered a questionnaire measuring their emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Analysis of variance revealed that mean levels of emotional, psychological, and social well-being did not significantly differ according to men's weight status. Moderation analyses indicated that, for men in a relationship (married or living common-law), there were no significant associations between overweight, obesity, and the three components of positive mental health. However, for single men, overweight was marginally associated with higher emotional well-being, while obesity was associated with lower psychological well-being and marginally associated with lower social well-being. Results of the present study suggest that health professionals and researchers should take the characteristics (such as marital status) of men with obesity and overweight into account when working with them. Mental health researchers may need to examine men in each weight category separately (e.g. obesity vs. overweight), since the association with positive mental health can differ from one category to another.

Beliefs about savoring in older adulthood: Aging and perceived health affect temporal components of perceived savoring ability

The ability to savor positive life events is associated with higher emotional well-being; however, few studies have examined savoring ability in older adults. The present study used a longitudinal design to examine changes in perceived savoring abilities and associations with perceived health in older adulthood. Older adults (N=131) reported on beliefs about savoring and perceived health at baseline and 2 1/2years later. Perceived anticipation (savoring the future) and reminiscing (savoring the past) abilities declined from baseline to follow-up. Better perceived health at baseline predicted greater perceived reminiscing and anticipation abilities at follow-up. Greater perceived ability to savor the present moment at baseline predicted better perceived health at follow-up. Aging and poorer health focus older adults' thoughts on present-moment pleasures, which may benefit health, but may also lead to reductions in perceived anticipation and reminiscing abilities.

Indigenous Mental Health

This chapter aims to respond to the high incidence of social and emotional wellbeing issues and mental health challenges that are unique to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Maori person. It provides a beginning level of understanding for mental health nurses, to assist you to develop your understanding of the critical and complex issues relating to the mental, social and emotional wellbeing of the Indigenous peoples from our two countries. This chapter has been compiled and written by an Aboriginal nurse, a Maori nurse and a white Australian nurse. This chapter acknowledges the unique diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Maori cultures, including the communities' needs and histories. The practitioner who integrates the guiding information in this chapter into their practice must also acknowledge and understand locally developed specific strategies in line with their respective cultural protocols.

Happiness begets children? Evidence for a bi-directional link between well-being and number of children

The purpose of the current research was to examine the association between different facets of well-being and parenthood status. Specifically, using two longitudinal data sets, the present research explored whether individuals who possess high cognitive (Studies 1 & 2), emotional, and psychological well-being (Study 2) are more likely to subsequently become parents compared to their less happy counterparts. The results of both studies demonstrated that well-being at Time 1 positively predicted number of children at Time 2, controlling for a number of relevant variables (e.g. income, age). Additional analyses revealed that the relationship between cognitive well-being and subsequently having children was particularly strong for people who did not have any children previously. Potential mechanisms explaining how and why well-being may influence parenthood are discussed.

PPO.33 Perceived maternal stress and emotional wellbeing as risk factors for miscarriage

ObjectiveMiscarriage is the most common adverse outcome in pregnancy. Investigations suggest numerous risk factors however the cause remains poorly understood. The study aimed to examine the contribution of an array...

Religious and Gender Effects on Psychosocial Adaptation Among Japanese Immigrants

This exploratory study examined the effects of religious identification and gender on psychosocial adaptation among a nonrandom sample of 440 Japanese immigrants who lived in Texas. The study revealed that a religious effect became salient in terms of the cross-cultural adaptation and life outcomes of first-generation immigrants. Christian immigrants were significantly better adjusted than were their Buddhist or atheist counterparts. Although there was little or no gender effect, female immigrants enjoyed higher emotional well-being than did their male counterparts. The findings have implications for social work in terms of client religion and, possibly, gender as well as services to enhance psychosocial adaptation of first-generation immigrants in the United States.