Indicators Of Emotional Well-being Research Articles

Using crisis text messaging service data to measure the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on mental health in Ireland

ABSTRACT In 2020 and 2021, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were implemented globally to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. This study is aimed to assess the impact of NPIs on the public mental health in Ireland by drawing on two datasets: (1) data of 43,433 chats initiated at Text About It, a free text-based mental health crisis service in Ireland, and (2) emotional well-being indicators reported by respondents of the Amárach public opinion survey, carried out on behalf of the Department of Health, Ireland. Our analysis reveals that COVID-19-related chats drove overall volumes of chats to Text About It between June 2020 to July 2021. Surges in text volumes immediately prior to new restrictions in Ireland indicate an association between the announcements of the new restrictions and a sudden rise in mental health concerns. Through segmented regression, seven distinct breakpoints were identified across weekly chat volumes at Text About It, the majority of which co-occurred with dates when considerable changes in NPIs were made. Significant high cross-correlation is found between emotional well-being variables in the Amárach dataset and the number of weekly COVID-19 related texts to Text About It. This analysis confirms the value of Text About It as community surveillance indicator for population mental health.

Longitudinal associations between emotional well-being and subjective health from middle adulthood to the beginning of late adulthood

Objective Emotional well-being may predict future health and vice versa. We examined the reciprocal associations between emotional well-being and subjective health from age 36 to 61. Methods and Measures The data were drawn from the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development and included information from 36-, 42-, 50- and 61-year-olds (N = 336). The emotional well-being indicators included life satisfaction and negative and positive mood. The subjective health indicators were self-rated health and psychosomatic symptoms. The analyses were conducted with random intercept cross-lagged panel models. Results Within-person cross-lagged associations were found between emotional well-being and subjective health. Fewer psychosomatic symptoms at ages 36 and 50 predicted higher life satisfaction at ages 42 and 61, respectively. A lower negative mood at age 42 and a higher positive mood at age 50 predicted fewer psychosomatic symptoms at 50 and 61, respectively. Conversely, a higher negative mood at ages 36 and 50 predicted better self-rated health at ages 42 and 61, respectively. Conclusion The relationship between emotional well-being and subjective health appears to be reciprocal. Both emotional well-being and subjective health predicted each other even 6–11 years later. However, associations may depend on the variables and age periods investigated.

Effectiveness and Feasibility of a Self-guided Mobile App Targeting Emotional Well-being in Healthy Adults: 4-Week Randomized Controlled Trial.

Commercial smartphone apps designed to promote emotional well-being are becoming increasingly popular, but few apps have been empirically validated. This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a self-guided app designed to reduce daily stress via positive messaging and tailored short inspirational talks (ie, peps). A total of 166 participants (n=112, 67.5% female; mean age 38.48, SD 6.73 years) were recruited through social media advertising and randomized into an intervention (Hey Lemonade app plus twice daily mood monitoring using the Multidimensional Mood Questionnaire [MDMQ]) or active control (twice daily mood monitoring [MDMQ]) group. Primary (coping self-efficacy [CSE]; 3 subscales) and secondary outcomes (vitality, satisfaction with life, perceived stress, positive and negative affect, and hassles and uplifts) were measured at the baseline (week 1) and end point (week 4). The app evaluation questions were assessed at week 2. All interactions and measurements were collected on the internet and through the apps. In total, of 166 participants, 125 (75.3%) completed the trial. There were no differences in dropout rates between the groups (62/81, 76% intervention; 63/85, 74% control). There were significant group-by-time interactions for vitality and hassles but no significant effect for CSE total (P=.05). For the intervention group, the change from baseline to week 4 was significant for vitality (P=.002) and hassles (P=.004), CSE total (P=.008), and CSE Emotional subscale (P=.02). For the control group, any changes over 4 weeks were not significant for any outcome. There was a significant group-by-time interaction for MDMQ calmness (P=.04). By week 4, calmness was significantly higher in the intervention group (P=.046). Of those in the intervention group at week 2 (n=68), 39 (57%) participants recommended the app and 41 (60%) participants wanted to continue using it. Pep talks and customizable voice options were the most popular features. Participants who had access to the smartphone app on an as-needed basis over the 4-week trial showed significant improvements in emotional well-being indicators. More broadly, this suggests that simple accessible solutions may generate meaningful well-being outcomes. Whether these changes are sustained and can be generalized to other population groups is yet to be determined. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) 12622001005741; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384304&isReview=true.

Sexual Function and Quality of Life Among Turkish Oncology Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

ObjectiveSexual health and sexual function in oncology patients are inseparable elements of general quality of life and important indicators of emotional well-being. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the quality of life and sexual function of oncology patients receiving chemotherapy. Data SourcesThis cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted within the chemotherapy unit of a university hospital between June 25, 2017, and June 21, 2018. A total of 410 oncology outpatients participated in this study. Data were collected using the FACT-G Quality of Life Evaluation Scale, the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. ConclusionA negative and weak statistically significant relationship between the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale total score and the FACT-G Quality of Life Evaluation Scale total score was found (r = -0.224, P < .01). The regression model where the FACT-G Quality of Life Evaluation Scale total scores (F = 3.263; P < .001) and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale total scores (F = 8.937; P < .001) of the patients were taken as dependent variables and their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were taken as independent variables was found to be statistically significant. Implication for Nursing PracticePsychosocial and medical evaluation should be performed when a concern or problem regarding the sexual life of an oncology patient is detected. The sexual quality of life of oncology patients should be improved through sexual counseling and education. Patients and their families should be encouraged to participate in family support programs.

The Third Half: A Pilot Study Using Evidence-Based Psychological Strategies to Promote Well-Being among Doctoral Students

Over the last few years, various studies have reported decreasing well-being levels among doctoral students, who show a higher risk of suffering from psychological distress than the general population. Accordingly, European policies in higher education encourage well-being promotion programs among doctoral studies to enhance young researchers' well-being. However, programs using evidence-based practices for well-being promotion are not yet generalised in public universities. The present study describes a pilot experience designed to evaluate the efficacy of a well-being program among doctoral candidates of a public European university, the Autonomous University of Barcelona. 25 doctoral students (67% women) participated in a pre-post study consisting of six sessions of 3 h each and structured by the big five criteria coming from evidence-based practices for well-being promotion: outdoor green spaces exposure, physical activity, gamification, mentoring, positive and coaching psychology techniques. Results showed how participants experienced significant increases in several indicators of emotional well-being and decreased psychological distress after the Third Half program. These positive pilot results encourage further research and future replications to assess the impact of this evidence-based psychological program among the academic community. Results also lead the way towards the creation of healthier academic workplaces by implementing cost-effective interventions that improve researchers' psychosocial support and their overall well-being.

A cross-sectional study of organized activity participation and emotional wellbeing among non-immigrant and immigrant-origin children in British Columbia, Canada

Organized activity participation has been linked to children’s emotional wellbeing. However, a scarcity of literature considers the role of immigrant background. This study’s primary objective was to measure the association between organized activity participation and emotional wellbeing among a population-based sample of Grade 7 children in British Columbia, Canada. We also examined whether this relationship depended on immigration background. Our sample included 14,406 children (47.8% female; mean age = 12.0 years). 9,393 (65.2%) children were of non-immigrant origin (48.9% female; mean age = 12.1 years). 5,013 children (34.8%) were of immigrant origin (45.8% female; mean age = 12.0 years; 40.8% first-generation). Participants completed the Middle Years Development Instrument, a self-report survey measuring children’s wellbeing and assets. We used odds ratios and the χ2 test to compare the organized activity participation of non-immigrant and immigrant-origin children. We used multiple linear regression to measure associations between participation and indicators of emotional wellbeing and assessed whether associations varied based on immigrant background, controlling for demographic factors and peer belonging. Participation in any activity was similar among non-immigrant and immigrant-origin children (OR1st-gen=1.06, p=0.37; OR2nd-gen=0.97, p=0.62). Immigrant generation status modified the relationship between participation and emotional wellbeing (χSWL2=3.69, p=0.03; χDep2=12.31, p<0.01). Beneficial associations between participation and both life satisfaction and depressive symptoms were observed among non-immigrant children only, although associations were small. We conclude that immigrant background modestly modified the association between organized activity participation and emotional wellbeing.

The Relationship Between Traditional and Cyber Bullying Victimization in Early Adolescence and Emotional Wellbeing: A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Study

Despite the wealth of knowledge about the impact of bullying victimization, information gaps exist about how traditional and cyber bullying in early adolescence is associated with emotional wellbeing, namely, indicators of positive wellbeing. Therefore, this study investigated associations between different types of bullying victimization and positive and negative emotional wellbeing indicators, in addition to examining the prevalence of different types of bullying in conjunction with child, peer, and school factors. The study used data from an annual survey of student wellbeing conducted in South Australian schools. The sample comprised of 9019 grade 6 students aged 10–13 years (49.6% female). One-third of students experienced bullying victimization. Verbal bullying was most prevalent in this sample (24%), followed by social (21%), physical (10%), and cyberbullying (7%). Males were significantly more likely to experience physical and verbal bullying, and students living in more socioeconomically disadvantaged communities were significantly more likely to experience physical, verbal, social, and cyber bullying victimization. Additionally, all types of bullying victimization were significantly associated with lower scores on positive emotional wellbeing indicators (happiness, life satisfaction, and emotion regulation) and significantly higher scores on negative indicators (sadness and worries), all with small effect sizes after accounting for child-, peer-, and school-level factors. This research suggests that bullying is associated with both positive and negative aspects of emotional wellbeing, and both aspects of wellbeing are crucial to consider when developing school-based interventions.

Screening diagnostics of emotional distress in patients with facial neuropathy

Patients with facial nerve neuropathy (NLN) are often emotionally labile, inadequately assess the severity of symptoms and prognosis of the disease, have low compliance and motivation for treatment and rehabilitation.The purpose of the study: to develop a screening method for assessing the attitude of a patient with NLN to the disease in order to determine his need for psychological assistance and identify factors affecting compliance and motivation for treatment and rehabilitation.Material and methods: the study included 80 patients with NLN of various genesis who applied during the first 3 months (group 1, n = 37) and 3 months after the onset of symptoms (group 2, n = 43). All patients underwent a neurological examination, an assessment of the severity of NLN on the House–Brackmann scale and were asked to fill out a questionnaire on screening diagnostics of indicators of emotional well-being.Results. In Group 1, the severity of the disease was due to weakness of facial muscles and lagophthalmos, in Group 2 — mainly complications in the form of muscle hypertonia (88.4% of patients) and synkinesias on the affected side (89.2%), while strength partially recovered from 6 [3; 6] to 3 [3; 4] points according to According to the House– Brackmann scale, and the frequency of lagophthalmos decreased by 2 times (from 78.4% to 32.6%). The severity of paresis was not correlated with the severity of emotional disorders (p = 0.607) and the presence of lagophthalmos — 3 [2; 6] versus 4 [2; 8] (p = 0.412). The total score of negative questionnaire responses was higher in patients with complications: muscle hypertonicity — 5 [3; 7] versus 3 [1; 5] (p = 0.033) and synkinesia — 6 [3.5; 7.5] versus 3 [2: 6] (p = 0.010). Moreover, the severity of emotional disorders was associated with the number of complications (p = 0.006). Patients believed that the disease made them less attractive (72.5%), others pay too much attention to the face (46.3%) and changed their attitude (18.8%). Since the acute period of NLN, the mood has changed in 65% of patients. Every second patient believed that the disease divided his life into “before” and “after”, every third answered: “this is the worst thing that happened to me in my life.” In three cases, statements of suicidal thoughts were noted. Patients who sought help in the chronic period of NLN are more dysfunctional in terms of emotional state — the total score of negative responses was 6 [3.5; 3] versus 3 [1; 5] (p = 0.001). A third of the patients were convinced that the main responsibility for recovery lies with doctors, so they are at risk of refusing treatment.Conclusion: in the debut of NLN, every second patient worries about appearance and notes a decrease in mood. Negative thoughts and feelings in patients in the chronic stage of the disease occur in 90% of cases. The developed screening method of psychological assessment of the patient’s attitude to the disease allows to determine the patient’s need for psychological help, to identify indications for consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist.

A classroom-based pilot of a self-compassion intervention to increase wellbeing in early adolescents

A Classroom-Based Pilot of a Self-Compassion Intervention to Increase Wellbeing in Early adolescents Abstract Objective: Our first aim was to examine the effect of a 4-week self-compassion-based intervention on emotional well-being in a school classroom of early adolescents. The second aim was to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of the program within a classroom setting. Design: This study was a pre–post pilot design utilizing paired sample t -tests to examine within-person changes in the outcome measures prior to, and following, the intervention. Bivariate correlations were also used to assess covariation between the pre-to-post change scores in self-compassion and the pre-to-post change scores in the outcome measures. Setting: The intervention was conducted during a wellbeing class at a culturally diverse secondary school. Participants: The sample comprised 18 students aged 12- to 14-years old ( M age = 12.44, SD = 0.61). Intervention: A brief self-compassion-based program, Be Kind to Yourself, Inspire Others, was developed specifically for early adolescents and delivered across four 70- minute lessons. Main outcome measures: The outcome measures were self-compassion, resilience, perceived stress, social and general anxiety, and peer and school connectedness. Results: Findings revealed significant increases in self-compassion, resilience, and peer connectedness, and significant decreases in social and general anxiety at posttest, with small to medium effect sizes (Hedges’ g = 0.30–0.67). No significant differences were found for perceived stress and school connectedness. Pre-to-post changes in self-compassion covaried with pre-to-post changes in resilience and peer connectedness. Feasibility and acceptability were high. Findings suggest that a brief, classroom-based self-compassion intervention may be feasible and effective in improving indicators of emotional well-being among early adolescents.

Using prosocial behavior to safeguard mental health and foster emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: A registered report protocol for a randomized trial.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the accompanying lockdown measures, and their possible long-term effects have made mental health a pressing public health concern. Acts that focus on benefiting others—known as prosocial behaviors—offer one promising intervention that is both flexible and low cost. However, neither the range of emotional states prosocial acts impact nor the size of those effects is currently clear, both of which directly influence its attractiveness as a treatment option. Using a large online sample from Canada and the United States, we will examine the effect of a three-week prosocial intervention on two indicators of emotional well-being (happiness and the belief that one’s life is valuable) and mental health (anxiety and depression). Respondents will be randomly assigned to perform prosocial, self-focused, or neutral behaviors each week. Two weeks after the intervention, a final survey will assess whether the intervention has a lasting effect on mental health and emotional well-being. Our results will illuminate whether prosocial interventions are a viable approach to addressing mental health needs during the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well for those who face emotional challenges during normal times.

University Students' Perceived Peer Support and Experienced Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Emotional Well-Being.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected individuals’ mental health. Social isolation as a result of social distancing during the pandemic potentially affects the associations among perceived available peer support, emotional well-being, and depression in university students. The present study examined the associations among university students’ perceived available peer support, emotional well-being (as indicated negatively by loneliness and negative affects and positively by positive affects and hope), and depressive symptoms. During the third wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in July, 2020, 255 students at a public university in Hong Kong participated in an online-based survey that assessed their perceived available peer support, emotional well-being, and depressive symptoms. Results showed that perceived available peer support negatively contributed to depressive symptoms; both negative and positive indicators of emotional well-being mediated the association between perceived available peer support and depressive symptoms. Our results also suggested that university students showed signs of elevated depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Thus, our study advanced the theoretical understanding of university students’ mental health in the time of a global pandemic. Our study also highlighted the practical needs for preventive efforts and accessible care to support the psychological and emotional needs of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PID-5 Trait Indicators of Emotional Instability and Childhood Adversity Antecedents.

Personality traits provide natural mechanisms through which childhood maltreatment may translate into psychiatric symptomatology. The PID-5 has provided a DSM-supported exemplar for canvassing traits that may contribute to the developmental trajectories of many personality and mood disorders. This general population survey (N = 2,430) examined associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE questionnaire) and selected PID-5 trait indicators of emotional well-being (Depressivity, Anxiousness, and Emotional Lability). These associations were contrasted with others derived from traditional dimensional measures of childhood maltreatment. ACE counts and all six of the dimensional maltreatment indicators were linked to the three trait scores. Family emotional abuse and ACE counts provided equally strong correlates of Depressivity and Anxiousness. ACE counts and childhood sexual abuse were especially strong in their associations with all three traits. Graded relationships were found in these trait-adversity relationships with polyvictimized respondents generating the highest personality maladjustment. The odds of a trait score elevation (>1 SD) were raised substantially (two to five fold) by singular adversity exposures, and the co-occurrence of only two different forms of adversity maximized odds of extreme trait expression. These results contribute to an evidentiary base suggesting steeper developmental trajectories for personality maladjustment among maltreated youth.

Social capital, social cohesion, and health of Syrian refugee working children living in informal tented settlements in Lebanon: A cross-sectional study.

Since 2011, the protracted Syrian war has had tragic consequences on the lives of the Syrian people, threatening their stability, health, and well-being. The most vulnerable are children, who face interruption of schooling and child labor. This study explored the relationship between social capital and the physical health and emotional well-being of Syrian refugee working children in rural areas of Lebanon. In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 4,090 Syrian refugee children working in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon in 2017. Children (8-18 years) gave direct testimony on their living and social environment in face-to-face interviews. Logistic regressions assessed the association of social capital and social cohesion with the health and emotional well-being of Syrian refugee working children; specifically, poor self-rated health, reporting a health problem, engaging in risky health behavior, feeling lonely, feeling optimistic, and being satisfied with life. Of the 4,090 working children in the study, 11% reported poor health, 16% reported having a health problem, and 13% were engaged in risky behaviors. The majority (67.5%) reported feeling lonely, while around 53% were optimistic and 59% were satisfied with life. The study findings suggest that positive social capital constructs were associated with better health. Lower levels of social cohesion (e.g., not spending time with friends) were significantly associated with poor self-rated health, reporting a physical health problem, and feeling more lonely ([adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.4; CI 1.76-3.36, p < 0.001], [AOR, 1.9; CI 1.44-2.55, p < 0.001], and [AOR, 0.5; CI 0.38-0.76, p < 0.001], respectively). Higher levels of social support (e.g., having good social relations), family social capital (e.g., discussing personal issues with parents), and neighborhood attachment (e.g., having a close friend) were all significantly associated with being more optimistic ([AOR, 1.5; CI 1.2-1.75, p < 0.001], [AOR, 1.3; CI 1.11-1.52, p < 0.001], and [AOR, 1.9; CI 1.58-2.29, p < 0.001], respectively) and more satisfied with life ([AOR, 1.3; CI 1.01-1.54, p = 0.04], [AOR, 1.2; CI 1.01-1.4, p = 0.04], and [AOR, 1.3; CI 1.08-1.6, p = 0.006], respectively). The main limitations of this study were its cross-sectional design, as well as other design issues (using self-reported health measures, using a questionnaire that was not subject to a validation study, and giving equal weighting to all the components of the health and emotional well-being indicators). This study highlights the association between social capital, social cohesion, and refugee working children's physical and emotional health. In spite of the poor living and working conditions that Syrian refugee children experience, having a close-knit network of family and friends was associated with better health. Interventions that consider social capital dimensions might contribute to improving the health of Syrian refugee children in informal tented settlements (ITSs).

Two dimensions of problematic smartphone use mediate the relationship between fear of missing out and emotional well-being

It has been shown that both fear of missing out (FoMO) and problematic (i.e., excessive) smartphone use (PSU) are negatively associated with indicators of emotional well-being. Moreover, FoMO has been found to be a key predictor of PSU. This suggests that PSU may mediate the relation between FoMO and decreased emotional well-being but this pathway has never been tested. Moreover, in most studies on PSU, the multidimensional nature of this construct has been ignored. The aim of the present study was to address these gaps by directly testing the mediating role of (subdimensions of) PSU in the association between FoMO and emotional well-being. We conducted a cross-sectional study with Estonian participants (n = 426). Using a simple mediation analysis, we found that PSU partially mediated the relationship between FoMO and decreased emotional well-being. Using a parallel mediation analysis, we found that two specific dimensions of PSU were significant mediators of the relationship between FoMO and decreased emotional well-being: Cyberspace-oriented Relations and Physical Symptoms. This suggests that the negative relationship between FoMO and decreased emotional well-being is due to FoMO stimulating (a) online relationships at the cost of offline interactions and (b) Physical symptoms associated with excessive smartphone use. Overall, this study provides a fine-grained analysis of the relationship between FoMO, PSU and emotional well-being.

Two dimensions of problematic smartphone use mediate the relationship between fear of missing out and emotional well-being

It has been shown that both fear of missing out (FoMO) and problematic (i.e., excessive) smartphone use (PSU) are negatively associated with indicators of emotional well-being. Moreover, FoMO has been found to be a key predictor of PSU. This suggests that PSU may mediate the relation between FoMO and decreased emotional well-being but this pathway has never been tested. Moreover, in most studies on PSU, the multidimensional nature of this construct has been ignored. The aim of the present study was to address these gaps by directly testing the mediating role of (subdimensions of) PSU in the association between FoMO and emotional well-being. We conducted a cross-sectional study with Estonian participants (n = 426). Using a simple mediation analysis, we found that PSU partially mediated the relationship between FoMO and decreased emotional well-being. Using a parallel mediation analysis, we found that two specific dimensions of PSU were significant mediators of the relationship between FoMO and decreased emotional well-being: Cyberspace-oriented Relations and Physical Symptoms. This suggests that the negative relationship between FoMO and decreased emotional well-being is due to FoMO stimulating (a) online relationships at the cost of offline interactions and (b) Physical symptoms associated with excessive smartphone use. Overall, this study provides a fine-grained analysis of the relationship between FoMO, PSU and emotional well-being.

Psychological, Social and Emotional Well-Being of Adults with a History of Institutionalization: The Pilot Study Findings

The paper presents pilot research data that is part of the research project “The Impact of Early Deprivation on the Bio-Behavioral Indicators of Child Development” from the Government’s megagrant programs No. 14.Z50.31.0027. The purpose of the paper is the study of mental, social and emotional well-being indicators of adults raised in orphanages in comparison with a control group of adults who grew up in biological families. The comparison was carried out using scales of the WHO Questionnaire for assessing quality of life and Adult Self-Report (ASR) from The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) for assessing psychological and emotional well-being. Results revealed no significant differences between the groups studied. However, using the classification procedures, we found that an important feature is the living conditions that enable classification of membership in a group of graduates of an orphanage or in a group of adults from biological families: a separate apartment or a “public” space (a communal apartment or a dorm). A hypothesis has been put forward about the impact of the current living environment on the diagnosed indicators of the mental, social and emotional well-being of orphanage graduates.

Connecting Air Quality with Emotional Well-Being and Neighborhood Infrastructure in a US City.

Cities in the United States have announced initiatives to become more sustainable, healthy, resilient, livable, and environmentally friendly. However, indicators for measuring all outcomes related to these targets and the synergies between them have not been well defined or studied. One such relationship is the linkage between air quality with emotional well-being (EWB) and neighborhood infrastructure. Here, regulatory monitoring, low-cost sensors (LCSs), and air quality modeling were combined to assess exposures to PM2.5 and traffic-related NOx in 6 Minneapolis, MN, neighborhoods of varying infrastructure parameters (median household income, urban vs suburban, and access to light rail). Residents of the study neighborhoods concurrently took real-time EWB assessments using a smart phone application, Daynamica, to gauge happiness, tiredness, stress, sadness, and pain. Both LCS PM2.5 observations and mobile-source-simulated NOx were calibrated using regulatory observations in Minneapolis. No statistically significant (α = 0.05) PM2.5 differences were found between urban poor and urban middle-income neighborhoods, but average mobile-source NOx was statistically significantly (α = 0.05) higher in the 4 urban neighborhoods than in the 2 suburban neighborhoods. Close proximity to light rail had no observable impact on average observed PM2.5 or simulated mobile-source NOx. Home-based exposure assessments found that PM2.5 was negatively correlated with positive emotions such as happiness and to net affect (the sum of positive and negative emotion scores) and positively correlated (ie, a higher PM2.5 concentration led to higher scores) for negative emotions such as tiredness, stress, sadness, and pain. Simulated mobile-source NOx, assessed from both home-based exposures and in situ exposures, had a near-zero relationship with all EWB indicators. This was attributed to low NOx levels throughout the study neighborhoods and at locations were the EWB-assessed activities took place, both owing to low on-road mobile-source NOx impacts. Although none of the air quality and EWB responses were determined to be statistically significant (α = 0.05), due in part to the relatively small sample size, the results are suggestive of linkages between air quality and a variety of EWB outcomes.

Development of Emotional Well-Being indicators to advance the quality of spinal cord injury rehabilitation: SCI-High Project

Context: Emotional Well-Being (EWB) post-spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) is a critical aspect of adjustment to disability. Advancing care and assuring equity in care delivery within this rehabilitation care domain is essential. Herein, we describe the selection of EWB structure, process and outcome indicators for adults with SCI/D in the first 18 months after rehabilitation admission.Methods: A pan-Canadian Working Group completed the following tasks: (1) defined the EWB construct; (2) conducted a systematic review of available outcomes and their psychometric properties; (3) constructed a Driver diagram summarizing available evidence associated with EWB; and, (4) prepared a process map. Facilitated meetings allowed selection and review of feedback following rapid-cycle evaluations of proposed structure, process and outcome indicators.Results: The structure indicator is the proportion of staff with appropriate education and training in EWB and access to experts and resources. The process indicator is the proportion of SCI/D patients who were screened for depression and anxiety symptoms at rehabilitation admission and rehabilitation discharge. The intermediary outcome is the proportion of SCI/D patients at risk for depression or anxiety at rehabilitation discharge based on screening symptom scores. The final outcomes are: (a) proportion of individuals at risk for depression or anxiety based on screening symptom scores; and (b) proportion of individuals who received referral for EWB services or intervention.Conclusion: The proposed indicators have a low administrative burden and will ensure feasibility of screening for depression and anxiety at important transition points for individuals with SCI/D. We anticipate that the current structures have inadequate resources for at-risk individuals identified during the screening process.

Promoting Adolescent Health and Well-Being Through Outdoor Youth Programs: Results From a Multisite Australian Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which participation in structured outdoor programs is associated with improvements in adolescent health and well-being. Students (n = 160) were recruited from three secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. Adolescents completed online surveys 3 weeks before camp (Time 1), 1 week before camp (Time 2), and 1 week after camp (Time 3). Positive changes were observed on some indicators of emotional well-being (fear and self-efficacy), as well as peer and school connectedness. No camp effects were found for depression, aggression, well-being, friend connectedness, teacher connectedness, and nature connectedness. Results support the view that structured outdoor programs may have a beneficial effect on well-being. However, effects were not ubiquitous (they were domain specific), which warrants further investigation. Subscribe to JOREL

The Relationships Between Psychological Flexibility, Self-Compassion, and Emotional Well-Being.

Despite theoretical overlap between self-compassion and psychological flexibility, empirical links between these constructs is limited. This study examined the relationships between psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and emotional well-being to add to the literature on understanding the importance of self-compassion as a possible contributor to mental health, adding support to continuing development of compassion-based therapies. Relationships among these constructs were explored using survey data from a sample of 144 university psychology students (110 females and 34 males, aged 17-60 years). Self-compassion was significantly correlated with psychological flexibility processes, including mindful acceptance, defusion, and emotional well-being. Regression analyses indicated that self-compassion predicts significant unique variance above and beyond psychological flexibility across various indices of emotional well-being. These findings support the association between psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and emotional well-being, with implications for 3rd-wave models of therapy, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and compassion-based approaches. Therapies incorporating compassion processes may potentially lead to improved treatment outcomes.