Hierarchical Multiple Regression Models Research Articles

Impact of Trilingual Efficiency on the Working Memory and Inhibitory Control in Undergraduates: A Case Study of Pakistan

In recent years, the phenomenon of multilingualism has spread throughout the world. Pakistan offers an intriguing picture of multilingualism, yet little research has been done in this domain. The previous body of research in the multilingualism and cognition domain had produced inconsistent findings. This study aimed to investigate the positive impact of multilingualism on executive functions of inhibitory control and working memory in undergraduate students. Twenty participants were hired from a call center organization. A language history questionnaire (LHQ3) was administered along with the Simon and Corsi experimental tasks to measure inhibition and working memory. A simple linear regression analysis was run to find the impact of multilingualism. The data findings showed no impact of multilingualism on inhibitory control and working memory. The results showed insufficient statistical evidence to prove the multilingual advantage. Moreover, the results also projected the involvement of multiple confounding variables that may be the principal reason for inconsistent findings in this field of research. Hence, the bilingual advantage hypothesis is rejected because the findings could not predict the generalizability of the positive effect of multilingualism on the executive functions in the larger population of undergraduates. The study suggests that a multiple hierarchical regression model may be more productive, including multiple confounding variables.

Racism, Attachment Styles, and Mental Health among Asian American Adolescents

Theory suggests that a secure base can moderate the effects of racism on mental health outcomes among people of Color (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2022). Thus, the current study tested this hypothesis with a sample of 301 Asian American adolescents who completed a 25-minute online survey. Two hierarchical multiple regression models examined whether secure, anxious, and avoidant attachment with mothers and fathers moderated the link between racism and mental health. We found that when Asian American adolescents reported frequent experiences of racism, secure attachment with fathers was not enough to mitigate the effects of racism. Specifically, simple slopes indicated that at high and moderate levels of secure attachment with fathers, adolescents reported slightly better mental health with few racism experiences but indicated a slight decrease in mental health with frequent racism experiences. Findings highlight the importance of dismantling racial discrimination to support Asian American adolescents’ mental health.

Associations between sensory impairment and functional limitations among older Chinese adults: mediating roles of social isolation and cognition

BackgroundThe high prevalence of sensory impairment and functional limitations in older adults is a significant concern, yet there is limited understanding of the relationship between these two conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the pathways connecting sensory impairment and functional limitations by examining serial multiple mediating effects of social isolation and cognition in older adults.MethodsUsing the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study dataset, a sample of 4871 older adults was selected. The study variables included sensory impairment, functional limitations, social isolation and cognition, and other covariates. A hierarchical multiple linear regression model was used to assess the association between sensory impairment and functional limitations. Mediation analysis was conducted to explore the sequential multiple mediating effects of social isolation and cognitive function in the relationship between sensory impairment and functional limitations.ResultsOur findings revealed a significant and positive association between sensory impairment and functional limitations (B = 0.615, 95% CI: 0.397, 0.834). After adjusting for social isolation and cognitive function, the impact of sensory impairment on functional limitations accounted for 87.19% of the total effect. Additionally, approximately 12.81% of the significant relationship between dual sensory impairment and functional limitations was mediated by social isolation and cognitive function. A serial multiple mediating pathway (sensory impairment → social isolation → cognition → functional limitations) was identified, with a coefficient of 0.013 (95% CI: 0.006, 0.020).ConclusionsOur study provides evidence for the mediating effects of social isolation and cognition in the relationship between sensory impairment and functional limitations. Given the prevalence of functional limitations among older adults with sensory impairment, it is crucial to consider social isolation and cognitive function in efforts to reduce the burden of disability care. Future validation of these findings through longitudinal studies is necessary.

The multiple mediation model of social support and postpartum anxiety symptomatology: the role of resilience, postpartum stress, and sleep problems

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of postpartum anxiety and the factors influencing it, while also exploring the multiple mediating roles of related factors between social support and postpartum anxiety symptomatology among postpartum women in China.MethodsBetween April and August 2023, we recruited a total of 824 postpartum women through a convenience sampling method. These participants completed a series of general survey questionnaires and were evaluated using the depression anxiety stress scale, perceived social support scale, 10-item Connor–Davidson resilience scale, maternal postpartum stress scale, and Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Additionally, we employed a hierarchical multiple regression model to investigate the relevant factors and mediators of postpartum anxiety symptomatology. A structural equation model was used to examine the mediating role of resilience, postpartum stress, and sleep problems in the relationship between social support and postpartum anxiety symptomatology.ResultsOur study found a postpartum anxiety symptomatology prevalence rate of 18.40%. The factors influencing postpartum anxiety symptomatology included age, education of their husband, mastitis, social support, resilience, postpartum stress, and sleep problems. Through a multiple mediation analysis, we found that resilience, postpartum stress, and sleep problems completely mediated the effects of social support on postpartum anxiety symptomatology, with the mediating effect accounting for 83.57% of the total effect.ConclusionThe multiple mediation analysis revealed that among postpartum women, the impact of social support on postpartum anxiety symptomatology is channeled through resilience, postpartum stress, and sleep problems. Therefore, enhancing social support, resilience, postpartum stress, and sleep problems might alleviate postpartum anxiety symptomatology.

Antecedents and prevalence of destructive leadership behaviour: the case in primary and middle level schools

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this empirical study was to investigate the antecedents and prevalence of destructive leadership behaviour in primary and middle-level schools of the state of Amhara, Ethiopia. A mixed approach with an embedded research design was employed. Multi-stage stratified sampling was applied to select 748 teacher respondents. One sample t-test, multiple regression and hierarchical multiple regression model were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that antecedents of destructive leadership were moderately exhibited in Primary and Middle-Level Schools. When the prevalence of destructive leadership was regressed on susceptible followers, leader behaviour and conducive environment antecedents of destructive leadership, 61% of the variance in the prevalence of destructive leadership behaviour was accounted for by the interplay of susceptible followers, leader behaviour and conducive environment. Leader behaviour antecedent of DLB contributes more to the prevalence of destructive leadership behaviour among principals in primary and middle schools. Based on the findings of the study it is inferred that the antecedents of destructive leadership were moderately exhibited in the primary and middle-level schools of the study area.

The Impact of Firefighters’ Emotional Labor on Job Performance: The Moderating Effects of Transactional and Transformational Leadership

Our study leverages insights from the conservation of resources theory and job demands–resources theory to explore the relationship between two types of emotional labor—surface acting and deep acting—and job performance among firefighters. Furthermore, we assess the moderating roles of transactional and transformational leadership within this framework. Using hierarchical multiple regression models, we analyzed data from 1453 firefighters in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea’s most populous province. The findings reveal that surface acting adversely affects job performance, whereas deep acting exerts no significant impact. The relationships between these two types of emotional labor are contingent on transactional and transformational leadership. The policy implications of this study include the need to manage employees’ emotional labor by distinguishing between surface and deep acting as well as the need for efforts and alternatives to facilitate transactional and transformational leadership.

The effect of subjective postural vertical on forward flexed posture in Parkinson's disease

BackgroundWe developed a novel method to measure the angle of subjective postural vertical (SPV) and showed that the SPV may be related to the exacerbation of the forward flexed posture. ObjectivesThe present study prospectively tested the effects of the subjective postural vertical on the exacerbation of the forward flexion of trunk (FFT) through long-term observation of Parkinson's disease patients. MethodsEvaluation of the posture included measuring FFT, the angle of lateral flexion of trunk, and the angle at the position that the patient subjectively perceived as the vertical position at a stationary upright position immediately after standing up at the time of initial observation, 6 months later, and 1 year later. ResultsThe SPV angles worsened significantly at 6 months and 1 year compared to the first measurements (9.3 ± 6.7° vs. 10.8 ± 8.2° and 10.6 ± 7.8°, P < 0.05), and the FFT angles worsened significantly at one year compared to the first measurements (11.1 ± 8.1° vs. 12.2 ± 8.8°, P = 0.004). Furthermore, using a hierarchical multiple regression model, the difference in SPV from the first visit to the first half year was considered a factor contributing to annual FFT change (P = 0.002). ConclusionsThis longitudinal study of a large number of cases suggested that changes in SPV may precede changes in FFT.

Business model innovation and the success of internationalization initiatives: the moderating effects of psychic distance and international experience

PurposeBuilding on recent developments in the Uppsala model, we first examine the role of business model innovation (BMI) in the internationalization process of firms and then determine to what extent international experience and psychic distance have a moderating effect between BMI and the success of a firm’s international initiatives.Design/methodology/approachWe apply a multiple hierarchical regression model to a sample of 168 firms of two border regions in Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia) and Austria (Carinthia).FindingsWe find empirical support for the moderating role of both psychic distance and international experience in the relationship between business model innovation and the success of internationalization initiatives.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the evolutionary perspective of the internationalization process of firms by adding new aspects related to the role of business model innovation to the most re-cent developments of the Uppsala model. From an empirical point of view, the paper contributes to the literature by identifying and testing two boundary conditions that shape the relationship between BMI and international success.

Impact of immigrant-related stress on mental health among Mexican-origin families: Implications for a shifting and complex immigration climate.

Latinx immigrant families may face stressful experiences premigration, en route to the host country, and once they arrive in the host country (postmigration). The present study examines the impact of premigration stress and postmigration stress (together defined as immigrant-related stress) on the mental health of Mexican-origin parents and their children using both cross-sectional and longitudinal methodology. Data collection across four timepoints occurred from 2013 to 2018. At Time 1, 104 families were enrolled in the study and met the following criteria: (1) At least one Mexican-origin immigrant parent; (2) One child between the ages of 6-10 years; and (3) Family income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line. Hierarchical multiple regression and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) were used to analyze the cross-sectional and longitudinal data, respectively. HLM models revealed that higher postmigration stress over time (2013-2018) was related to higher mental health problems among parents and children. Higher premigration stress was associated with higher parent-reported child mental health problems, while postmigration stress was associated with higher parent mental health problems. Specifically, discrimination emerged as a salient factor of poor parent mental health. Immigrant-related stress was related to higher total parent and child mental health problems. This study demonstrates the strong impact of postmigration stress on mental health over the span of several years and during a time of heightened stress for many Mexican immigrant communities. The results inform the need for family-wide interventions that address the complexities of immigrant-related stress as well as comprehensive policy changes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Significance of physical factors on activities of daily living in patients with tetraplegia after spinal cord injury: a retrospective study

BackgroundTetraplegia is a debilitating sequela of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, comprehensive approaches for determining the influence of various factors on activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with tetraplegia are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the influence of physical factors on ADL in patients with tetraplegia after adjusting for demographic, SCI-related, and cognitive factors.MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 201 patients with tetraplegia who underwent inpatient rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Center in South Korea between 2019 and 2021. Patients’ mean age was 50.5 years (standard deviation, 16.3), and 170 (84.6%) were men. The Korean Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (K-SCIM III) was used as the main outcome measure to assess patients’ ADL ability. Hierarchical multiple regression modeling was conducted with K-SCIM as the dependent variable to examine the level of functioning and relative influencing factors.ResultsUpper-extremity motor score (UEMS), upper-extremity spasticity and sitting balance scores were significant predictors of self-care; lower-extremity motor score (LEMS), musculoskeletal pain of shoulder, and sitting balance were significant predictors of respiratory and sphincter management; UEMS, LEMS, and sitting balance score were significant predictors of mobility; and UEMS, LEMS, musculoskeletal pain of shoulder, and sitting balance scores were significant predictors of the K-SCIM III total score after adjustment for demographic, SCI-related, and cognitive factors.ConclusionsPhysical factors had the greatest impact on all subscores and the K-SCIM III total score. Upper- and lower-extremity muscle strength and sitting balance significantly affected functional ability across all subscores.

Examining predictors of loneliness among Older Americans Act National Family Caregiver Support Program participants.

Family caregivers may be at particular risk for social isolation and loneliness. Multiple factors can impact caregivers' health and well-being outcomes, including loneliness. Guided by an adaptation of the Stress Process Model of Caregiving, this study uses the 2019 National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants (NSOAAP)-Family Caregiver Support module to inform efforts to reduce loneliness through family caregiver support programs. A hierarchical multiple regression model reveals that caregivers who report more loneliness are more likely to be female, Hispanic, living alone, not a child or other caregiver of the care recipient, have a care recipient with 3+ ADL needs, experience more social life conflict related to caregiving, experience less joy in caregiving, feel less appreciated by the care recipient, feel less support in caregiving, and attend counseling. This study helps advance the goals of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, and the findings underscore the importance of continuing and expanding efforts to address loneliness and related well-being outcomes among family caregivers.

Food waste prevention and reduction: Practices, cultural and personal determinants

Food waste is a pressing global issue with profound social, environmental, and economic implications, prompting an urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of its sources. In the current study, we explored the role of cultural and personal determinants in food management practices. We operationalized two food practices – prevention of food waste by inventory and meal management and reduction of food waste by leftovers management, and explored how they are shaped by personal and cultural determinants. We asked 1200 respondents, three types of questions about their (1) cultural and personal attributes, such as their ethical and religious values; (2) lifestyle and dietary habits, such as their frequency of eating out, and (3) sociodemographic characteristics. We modeled the association between these three types of questions and the two food management practices utilizing a hierarchical multiple regression model. The results indicate that ascribing significant importance to hospitality is associated with less proficiency in inventory and meal management. Those who place a high priority on hospitality preparedness are proficient in managing leftovers but less proficient in inventory and meal management. In addition, individuals with strong ethical and religious views against food wastage tend to manage their inventory and meals poorly but excel at handling surplus food. Finally, secular Ashkenazi Israelis tend to engage in better practices to prevent and reduce food waste. The results also stress the differences between practices to prevent food waste and those to reduce it, opening a promising avenue for future research.

Intellectual Stimulation and Performance of Water Works Development Agencies in Kenya.

This study sought to examine the effect of intellectual stimulation on performance of water works development agencies(WWDA) in Kenya and to determine the moderating effect of legal framework on the relationship between the intellectual stimulation and performance of water works development agencies (WWDA) in Kenya. A descriptive research design and positivist research paradigm was adopted. The population of this study was the 116 projects in the 8 Water Works Development Agencies (WWDAs) while the unit of observation was 116 projects in the organizations. This study employed stratified random sampling in selecting the sample. The study used primary data collected using a semi structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software version 26. Qualitative data collected was analyzed using content analysis and presented in prose form. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages. The study also computed correlation analysis to measure strength and the direction of linear relationship between variables. Regression model was fitted to the data to determine how the independent variable affect the dependent variable. The study further used hierarchical multiple regression models to measure the moderating effect of legal framework. The findings were presented in tables and figures. The study found that intellectual stimulation had a positive and significant relationship with the performance of WWDA in Kenya. On the moderator, the study found that legal framework has positive significant moderating effect on the relationship between intellectual stimulation and performance of WWDA in Kenya. Based on the findings, WWDA should encourage intellectual stimulation among their leaders to improve their performance. This can be done by providing opportunities for employees to engage in creative thinking and problem-solving activities. Leaders should also encourage employees to challenge their assumptions and biases, and to explore new and innovative ways of doing things. It is also important for leaders to provide training and development opportunities for their employees, which can enhance their knowledge and skills. Furthermore, leaders should create a culture of continuous learning, where employees are encouraged to seek out new information and ideas. Additionally, there is a need to establish effective legal frameworks that ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the management of public infrastructure projects, particularly those related to performance of WWDA in Kenya.

Factors associated with perceived cognitive function in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy: A multicenter cross-sectional study

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the factors associated with perceived cognitive function among breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy in China. MethodsThe study was a multicenter cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 10 public hospitals in China between April 2022 and February 2023. A total of 741 participants completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic and medical characteristics, perceived cognitive function, sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to assess the determinants of cognitive function. ResultsThe hierarchical multiple regression model accounted for 31.5% of variation in perceived cognitive function (sociodemographic 4.5%; medical 6.6%; exercise frequency 6.6%; sleep quality 2.1%; fatigue 2.8%; anxiety combined with depression 9.0%). Education level, chemotherapy type, number of chemotherapy cycles, and cyclophosphamide drug use were significant predisposing factors of perceived cognitive function (p < 0.001). Exercising ≥3 times/week (p < 0.001) was a significant factor positively influencing perceived cognitive function, meanwhile, anxiety (p < 0.001) and depression (p < 0 0.001) were negative factors. ConclusionOur findings suggest that patients with low education levels, postoperative chemotherapy, cyclophosphamide treatment, and a greater number of chemotherapy cycles need more assessment. Sedentary patients, those who have never exercised, and those with anxiety or depression all showed greater cognitive decline. By identifying susceptible populations, encouraging regular exercise, and addressing anxiety and depression, healthcare professionals can contribute significantly to prevent patients’ cognitive decline throughout chemotherapy.

Lower-Body Power, Body Composition, Speed, and Agility Performance among Youth Soccer Players.

Speed and agility have been described as crucial abilities for soccer players. The purpose of this study was to analyze, in detail, the variance in speed and agility tasks explained by lower-body power after controlling for age and body composition. The participants were 96 male soccer players aged 16.1 ± 1.6 years. Body composition (stature, body fat percentage-BF%, body mass, and fat-free mass-FFM), lower-body power (countermovement jump-CMJ, and squat jump-SJ), speed (5-, 10-, and 35 m sprints), and agility (t-test) were assessed. Among body composition parameters, BF% presented the highest number of significant relationships with speed and agility, with the strength of correlations ranging from small (5 m sprint, r = 0.25) to large (35 m sprint, r = 0.52). The strongest correlation coefficient emerged between FFM and the 35 m sprint (r = -0.65). Significant correlations were found between vertical jump performance and the 35 m sprint (CMJ: r = -0.68; SJ: r = -0.69), followed by the t-test (CMJ: r = -0.35; SJ: r = -0.47). The hierarchical multiple regression model could explain 22% to 67% of the variance observed in agility scores and speed. BF% remained the most statistically significant negative predictor of all regression models. The CMJ remained a statistically significant positive predictor of the 35 m sprint (β = -0.581, p ≤ 0.01) after controlling for age and body composition. Integrating programs targeting lower-body power might be important to enhance speed and agility performance in youth soccer. On the other hand, future research based on multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the effects of nutritional strategies in reducing or preventing gains in BF% is still needed, which remained a significant predictor of sprint and agility performance in the final models.

Students’ individual entrepreneurial orientation and the scope of startup activities in Russia: The role of university infrastructure

The development of startup activity among students is often considered a key ingredient to increasing entrepreneurship levels and reducing unemployment rates among youth. This study examines the role of personal characteristics and university infrastructure components in the context of nascent entrepreneurship in an emerging market setting. Drawing on the self-efficacy perspective, we theorize the effect of students' individual entrepreneurial orientation on the scope of their startup activity. Based on the university embeddedness theory, we further explore whether the university entrepreneurial environment and entrepreneurial program learning moderate this relationship. Our sample was drawn from the 2021 GUESSS project, which includes 1521 students from 21 universities in Russia. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression models with the help of Stata MP software. We found that individual entrepreneurial orientation increases the scope of students' startup activities, and the university entrepreneurial environment that is evaluated above the median score strengthens this relationship, while the entrepreneurial program learning has no effect. Our research seeks to draw researchers' and practitioners' attention to the need of both exploring the nuances of students’ personal traits that influence their involvement in startup activities and building an effective university entrepreneurial ecosystem to stimulate entrepreneurial endeavors among youth.

Birthweight trends and their explanatory factors in Hungary between 1999 and 2018: an analysis of the Hungarian Tauffer registry

BackgroundThe increasing birthweight trend stopped and even reversed in several high income countries in the last 20 years, however the reason for these changes is not well characterized. We aimed to describe birthweight trends of term deliveries in Hungary between 1999 and 2018 and to investigate potential maternal and foetal variables that could drive these changes.MethodsWe analysed data from the Hungarian Tauffer registry, a compulsory anonymized data collection of each delivery. We included all singleton term deliveries in 1999–2018 (n = 1,591,932). We modelled birthweight trends separately in 1999–2008 and 2008–2018 in hierarchical multiple linear regression models adjusted for calendar year, newborn sex, maternal age, gestational age at delivery, and other important determinants.ResultsMedian birthweights increased from 3250/3400 g (girl/boy) to 3300/3440 g from 1999 to 2008 and decreased to 3260/3400 g in 2018. When we adjusted for gestational age at delivery the increase in the first period became more pronounced (5.4 g/year). During the second period, similar adjustment substantially decreased the rate of decline from 2.5 to 1.4 g/year. Further adjustment for maternal age halved the rate of increase to 2.4 g/year in the first period. During the second period, adjustment for maternal age had little effect on the estimate.ConclusionsOur findings of an increasing birthweight trend (mostly related to the aging of the mothers) in 1999–2008 may forecast an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases in offsprings born in this period. In contrast, the decreasing birthweight trends after 2008 may reflect some beneficial effects on perinatal morbidity. However, the long-term effect cannot be predicted, as the trend is mostly explained by the shorter pregnancies.

Spatial distribution and policy implications of the exhaust emissions of two-stroke motorcycle taxis: a case study of southwestern state in Nigeria

Two-stroke motorcycles emit harmful exhaust fumes because of incomplete combustion. Although they constitute the main fleet of motorcycle taxis in sub-Saharan Africa, monitoring, spatial assessment, and regulation are weak, leaving dire health consequences in cities. This study collected motorcycle raw exhaust emissions of 1,950 two-stroke petrol-driven motorcycle taxis, otherwise called okada, in Ogun State, Nigeria, using an idle mode test approach under 10 minutes and employed correlations, hierarchical multiple linear regression models, and spatial analysis. It was found that carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) were the most highly concentrated, and the latter were beyond allowable limits. The concentration of CO was found to be at the minimum of 0.00 % and the highest being at 6.40% (an average of 1.05%), while the HC concentration was reported at the minimum of 18.00 ppm and the highest at 15446 ppm (an average of 3560 ppm). Notably, Kriging interpolation analysis indicated that cumulative effects due to the clustering and operations of motorcycle taxis could increase these concentrations over time, extending their long-term impacts. Given the severe effects of these emissions on health and the wider environment, a DPSIR policy framework is proposed to regulate two-stroke motorcycle taxis in sub-Saharan Africa.

Environmental and sociocultural factors are associated with pain-related brain structure among diverse individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain: intersectional considerations

Chronic musculoskeletal pain including knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Previous research indicates ethnic-race groups differ in the pain and functional limitations experienced with knee OA. However, when socioenvironmental factors are included in analyses, group differences in pain and function wane. Pain-related brain structures are another area where ethnic-race group differences have been observed. Environmental and sociocultural factors e.g., income, education, experiences of discrimination, and social support influence brain structures. We investigate if environmental and sociocultural factors reduce previously observed ethnic-race group differences in pain-related brain structures. Data were analyzed from 147 self-identified non-Hispanic black (NHB) and non-Hispanic white (NHW), middle and older aged adults with knee pain in the past month. Information collected included health and pain history, environmental and sociocultural resources, and brain imaging. The NHB adults were younger and reported lower income and education compared to their NHW peers. In hierarchical multiple regression models, sociocultural and environmental factors explained 6–37% of the variance in pain-related brain regions. Self-identified ethnicity-race provided an additional 4–13% of explanatory value in the amygdala, hippocampus, insula, bilateral primary somatosensory cortex, and thalamus. In the rostral/caudal anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, self-identified ethnicity-race was not a predictor after accounting for environmental, sociocultural, and demographic factors. Findings help to disentangle and identify some of the factors contributing to ethnic-race group disparities in pain-related brain structures. Numerous arrays of environmental and sociocultural factors remain to be investigated. Further, the differing sociodemographic representation of our NHB and NHW participants highlights the role for intersectional considerations in future research.

Quantifying the relationship between gardening and health and well-being in the UK: a survey during the covid-19 pandemic

BackgroundRates of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, are high and rising in the urbanising world. Gardening could improve both mental and physical health and help prevent a range of conditions by increasing fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption, promoting physical activity, and reducing stress. However, good quality quantitative research in the area is scarce, and our understanding of the role of allotments and home gardens, and the effects of the level of engagement in gardening and involvement with food production has thus far been limited.MethodsWe quantitatively assess the relationship between home and allotment gardening and various indicators and predictors of health and well-being using an online survey of gardeners (n = 203) and non-gardeners (n = 71) in the UK. The survey was composed of multiple validated questionnaires (including the Short Form Food Frequency Questionnaire (SFFFQ), the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), the Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and the Self-Rated Health question (SRH)) and self-defined questions relating to participants’ involvement with gardening and food production, and relevant demographic and lifestyle factors. Data were analysed using a series of hierarchical logistic and multiple linear regression models adjusting for socio-demographic variables.ResultsAfter adjusting for relevant socio-demographic factors, gardening related variables were associated with better self-rated health, higher mental well-being, increased F&V consumption. Higher F&V intake was in turn also associated with better self-rated health and decreased odds of obesity. Thus, gardening had a positive association with four different aspects of health and well-being, directly or indirectly via increased F&V consumption.ConclusionsOur results suggest that gardening in UK allotments and domestic gardens may promote different aspects of health and well-being via multiple mechanisms. Improving access to growing space and promoting regular gardening could provide a range of benefits to public health. More research on how socio-economic factors influence the health and well-being benefits of gardening will help policymakers devise strategies to maximise these benefits.