Personal Life Research Articles (Page 1)

Despite several deleterious systemic stressors, such as racism and financial strain, African Americans have often leaned on religion and resilience to establish strength in their personal and familial lives. Yet, there remains a significant need for more studies on exactly how African American individuals and families have utilized their resources to remain strong. Accordingly, the present study takes an in-depth look at 46 strong African American families (N = 97 individuals) and features their own voices as they discuss surviving and thriving. The sampled families represent 46 husbands (M = 56 years, SD = 14), 46 wives (M = 54 years, SD = 14), and 5 adolescent children (four girls and one boy) ranging in age from 14-18 years old. For many, deep faith and family relationships are at the center of their coping responses. Utilizing an in-depth qualitative approach, core themes that emerged from this study included: (1) Maintaining Self-Awareness, (2) Accepting Best Efforts, (3) Using Love and Respect for Self to Cope with Racism, and (4) Belonging to God, Belonging to family. Narratives are offered to illustrate each of these themes.

Background: Establishing clear boundaries would help remote workers delineate their professional responsibilities from their personal time and promoting a healthier work-life balance. this study aims to investigate the impact of different living arrangements and boundary-setting strategies on overall well-being. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, a total of 293 workers participated in an online survey. Well-being was measured using the 14-item Scale of General Well-Being (14-SGWB). Results: Only 35.8% of remote workers had a dedicated desk at home in a room with a door that can be closed. Around 35% stated that the boundaries set between work and personal life were a little unclear and 38.5% reported often feeling that work intruded on their personal time. Linear regression analysis showed that setting clearer work-life boundaries (Beta=2.46), having comfort in people around them (Beta=4.46) were significantly associated with higher well-being scores. Conclusion: a dedicated workstations, clear boundaries, and support from cohabitants positively impact remote workers well-being. It is recommended that organizations prioritize the implementation of supportive measures such as training programs, flexible work arrangements, and clear communication channels to enhance the well-being of their remote workforce.

Recurrent seizures have such a negative impact upon the lives of persons with epilepsy that their prevention is a constant preoccupation of neurologists. Despite the large number of antiseizure medications (ASMs) currently available and of publications on their putative efficacy, adverse effects, and order of preference to start treatment, there is very little information on how to manage treatment over time. Here, we propose the analogy of a chess game to encourage neurologists to develop strategic decisions at each point in time to correctly manage ASMs toward the best possible degree of seizure control. We leverage that the strategy of the chess player must be adapted to each move of the opponent, to emphasize the need to individualize the treatment of epileptic seizures according to variations in response to ASMs that occur over time. The chess player calculates the best move at each point in the chess game just as the neurologist draws upon their knowledge and experience to select the best ASM regimen for a given patient and adjust it based on their "gestalt" of the patient's response to each treatment change. This gestalt, however, is firmly grounded in rational, flexible adaptations to ASM treatment protocols. Strategic decision-making in several epilepsy scenarios is given to illustrate the utility of the chess analogy.

In 2019, a global appeal was launched by WONCA that invited GPs to take action for planetary health. Four years after this call, what are French GPs doing to promote planetary health? To describe GPs' opinions about this subject and pro-planetary health actions in general practice and to evaluate their knowledge of planetary health. An online survey of GPs, locums and medical interns in France. The survey was sent by e-mail to French general practice networks. The responses were statistically analysed, and the demographic data were analysed via descriptive statistics. The 974 participants placed significant importance on ecology in their personal lives (mean=7.1/10) and were relatively aware of the environmental impact of health care. In their professional lives, they placed less importance on ecology (mean=5.80/10). Only 23.1% (n=225) reported being trained during their medical education. During consultations regarding both health and environmental benefits, the most frequently given advice involved direct benefits to patients' health. A lack of time (n=676, 69.4%) was the first barrier to integrating planetary health into practice, and the second barrier was a lack of knowledge (n=606, 62.2%). GPs are sensitive to environmental issues, but they are more detached from these issues in their professional lives. It is crucial to strengthen prevention efforts and integrate environmental considerations into training programmes and health policies to create the conditions necessary for this change in practice.

ABSTRACT Previous academic literature has outlined the issues many current and retired male professional footballers face in their careers. Many agree that the pressures and expectations of playing professional football in England come with myriad physical and psychological challenges. Professional footballers must maintain balance in both their personal and professional lives, and there has been growing interest in exploring the experiences of professional players. The present research explores the experiences of a retired male professional footballer. The participant was recruited purposively and has over 700 senior first team appearances and has represented clubs from the English Football League Two through to the English Premier League. A semi-structured interview was conducted, and a thematic narrative enquiry approach was used to analyse the data. The semi-structured interview was designed to explore the participant’s lived experiences of playing professional football in England, the psychological challenges they faced both personally and professionally, and their coping strategies.

Personality traits (e.g., the Big Five) shape human behavior, decision-making, and life outcomes. Evidence from various countries suggests that these traits are not randomly distributed but follow systematic regional patterns, fueling interest in their geographical variation. We analyze N = 22,225 geo-coded personality assessments, aggregated at regional levels. Using Hot Spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi), we identify spatial clusters of personality traits and test their associations with health and well-being indicators at the regional level. Even though Sweden has a reputation for equality, our analysis reveals notable spatial differences in personality composition. The data reveal overlapping geographical clustering in Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability (i.e., low Neuroticism), traits that are established predictors of better psychological functioning. These traits co-occur at relatively higher levels in southern Sweden, particularly in the Scania region, whereas they co-occur at relatively lower levels in parts of central Sweden. These patterns are descriptively supported by municipal-level correlations with health and well-being variables, although the associations are not uniform across all measures. In view of these results, we reflect on how these clusters may connect to long-standing regional histories, including industrial legacies. Such interpretations remain speculative, and we outline a future research agenda to further investigate the causes and consequences of regional personality variation, as well as its possible societal implications.

This study examines the complex relationship between work-life balance (WLB), mental health well-being, and women's performance in the workplace. Drawing on the Spillover Theory, it examines how experiences in personal and professional domains influence each other, particularly for women navigating dual roles. Through a systematic review of existing literature, the research identifies that effective WLB and robust mental health support significantly enhance women's productivity, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. On the contrary, poor integration of work and personal life, coupled with inadequate mental health resources, contributes to stress, burnout, and diminished performance. The findings underscore the importance of supportive workplace environments, flexible policies, and mental health initiatives in fostering women's well-being and optimizing their contributions at work. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for organizations to implement inclusive practices that promote both balance and psychological resilience among female employees.

This paper examines the link between work-life balance (WLB) and employee well-being among police officers. Due to the demanding nature of police work, officers frequently experience work-related stress, long hours, and exposure to horrific incidents, all of which can have a negative impact on their personal lives and general well-being. The study underlines the significance of striking a healthy work-life balance to boost job satisfaction, prevent burnout, and promote mental and physical health. The paper further seeks to address the impediments generated as a result of stress in this workplace. Theoretically, this paper relies on occupational stress to examine the relationship between work-life balance and employee wellness. This paper is based on a scientifically sound quantitative research method, utilising questionnaires to supplement the study's findings. Emanated from the questionnaires, this paper found that in today's fast-paced and competitive workplace, work-life balance and employee wellbeing are becoming increasingly intertwined. Employees frequently confront tremendous expectations on the job, which can lead to stress, burnout, and deterioration of physical and mental health. As a result, companies and people alike recognise the significance of establishing a balance between work and home life, promoting wellbeing, and matching professional responsibilities with individual skills and goals. This paper demonstrates that effective work-life balance initiatives contribute significantly to improving the wellness and productivity of police officers. This paper demands effective employee support for police officers to deal with the impediments that arise as a result of their work.

The aim of this study is to identify specific stressors within mayoral activities and to construct a mayors' life event inventory. Two online questionnaires were administered at four-month intervals. The first one collecting verbatim related to the stressors experienced by mayors. The second one evaluating the intensity and occurrence of the different stressors identified. In total, we retained responses from 1,120 mayorsThe first questionnaire has identified 25 work-related and 9 personal life stressors (the cumulative stressor scale). The beta coefficients of the mediation analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between stressors and burnout. The total effect of stressors on burnout was substantial (β = 0.60, p < .001). This study sheds light on the specific stressors that affect mayors in France, revealing a complex interplay between work-related and personal life challenges.

Population aging has intensified the global burden of dementia, creating significant challenges for patients, caregivers, and health care systems. While traditional in-person dementia care faces barriers, digital health technologies offer promising solutions to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and patient-centered care. However, evidence on applicability, safety, and effectiveness in dementia care remains fragmented, underscoring systematic evaluation. This study aims to assess the effectiveness, applicability, safety, and cost-efficiency of telemedicine technologies in dementia care, providing a comprehensive summary of evidence spanning clinical, psychological, socioeconomic, and operational impacts for persons living with dementia and their caregivers and assess alignment with the World Health Organization (WHO) Age-friendly Cities and Communities' Framework and Dementia Inclusive Society Framework. An overview of systematic and scoping reviews was conducted following a search in 5 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Epistemonikos, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), with a gray literature search on February 20, 2024. Eligible studies reported predefined outcomes related to telemedicine interventions for integrated dementia care, including effects on mental health, quality of life, physical activity, hospitalization, financial costs, safety, social isolation, and motor function. Screening and data extraction were performed by 10 reviewers. The findings were synthesized using the Thematic Analysis in Meta-Evidence (TAME) methodology, combining thematic and lexical analyses with single-proportion meta-analysis for comprehensive qualitative-quantitative synthesis. The methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews), with GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research) for outcomes' confidence in evidence. Ninety-one reviews provided evidence on the impact of telemedicine in dementia care. The most frequently reported outcomes were the effects of remote interventions on psychiatric and psychological well-being, particularly depression and anxiety (relative frequency of occurrence [RFO]=65%, 95% CI 54-75, moderate certainty of evidence). Fifty-seven studies highlighted the positive impact of telemedicine and telehealth on satisfaction and quality of life for persons living with dementia, caregivers, and health care providers (RFO=63%, 95% CI 52-73, moderate certainty of evidence). Remote technology-related interventions for reducing falls and managing behavioral symptoms were also frequently reported (RFO=33% 95% CI 23-44], moderate certainty of evidence). These interventions showed effectiveness in alleviating social isolation and loneliness (RFO=31%, 95% CI 22-41, moderate certainty of evidence). The methodological quality of the included reviews varied significantly, with the majority rated as low or critically low quality. Telemedicine and telehealth have been demonstrated to be effective and valuable tools in dementia care, offering significant benefits across psychological well-being, quality of life, and social impacts for persons living with dementia and their caregivers. This supports the adoption and implementation of telemedicine in dementia care, aligning with the strategies outlined in the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030).

Are politicians who have previously experienced human rights violations more supportive of promoting human rights abroad? Much of the literature on human rights advocacy has centered on actors at the international or state levels. By contrast, this article focuses on individual politicians and their personal life experiences. Understanding variations in commitment to global human rights among political leaders within a country is particularly important in legislative resolutions where each legislator’s roll-call vote directly impacts a bill’s outcome. I argue that legislators with firsthand experience of state repression are more likely to support promoting international human rights. Their shared experience with foreign victims fosters greater empathy and a moral obligation to stand with them. They also have electoral motivations, as human rights promotion is an issue of their ownership and aligns with voter expectations. I test my theory using original micro-level data on South Korean legislators’ state repression experiences during the country’s democratization in the 1980s and their roll-call votes on global human rights between 2020 and 2023. I address two major barriers to inference, generational and selection effects, by comparing politicians from the same generation who participated in protests based on the intensity of violence they experienced. I find that those who experienced severe forms of repression, such as torture, injury, and imprisonment, are more likely to support promoting human rights in other countries than those who faced lower-level repression. The results suggest that prior repressed experience is an important source of political elites’ preferences for international human rights, a topic that has received little attention in previous research.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between work–life balance (WLB), boundary blurring and employee well-being among police officers in Ghana. Specifically, it examines how WLB influences psychological well-being (PW) and social well-being (SW) and explores the moderating role of boundary blurring in these relationships. Design/methodology/approach The study used a cross-sectional survey design, with data from 249 police officers at the Ghana Police Service headquarters. The instrument used was questionnaires to measure WLB, boundary-blurring (BB) and employee well-being (both psychological and social). The analytical tools used were structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis, with bootstrapping techniques applied to test the significance of the relationships. Descriptive statistics, reliability and validity tests were conducted to ensure the robustness of the findings. Findings There was a significant positive relationship between WLB and both PW and SW. Boundary blurring was also found to moderate the relationship between WLB and SW negatively, but its moderating effect on the relationship between WLB and PW was insignificant. Practical implications The findings highlight the importance of implementing WLB policies that promote flexibility while managing boundary permeability. Organisations, particularly in high-stress environments, such as law enforcement, should design programs that support employees in maintaining clear boundaries between their work and personal lives. This includes establishing guidelines for off-hours communication, offering mental health resources and promoting a culture that values personal time. Such measures can enhance employee well-being, reduce burnout and improve overall organisational performance. Originality/value The study contributed to the literature by integrating border and boundary theory and facilitation theory to explore the interplay between WLB, BB and employee well-being in a high-stress occupation. The study had a culturally informed perspective on the challenges faced by Ghanaian police officers, offering actionable insights for improving well-being in similar contexts. It also showed the dual nature of boundary blurring, emphasising the need for balanced policies that facilitate work-life integration while mitigating its adverse effects.

Abstract : Mental health issues among students have become a major concern in today’s fast-paced and competitive world. Stress, anxiety, and depression often go unnoticed until they severely impact academic and personal life. PsyConnect is an AI-powered digital mental health platform designed to identify, analyze, and support students’ emotional well-being. The system integrates Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning (ML), and Sentiment Analysis to detect emotional states from text inputs. It also provides features such as an AI Chatbot, Counselor Connect, Wellness Dashboard, and Community Support to ensure comprehensive mental health assistance. By combining technology with empathy, PsyConnect bridges the gap between human counseling and intelligent automation, promoting a healthier and more mindful campus environment Keywords : Mental Health, Emotion Detection, AI Chatbot, Sentiment Analysis, Stress Prediction, Counseling Support.

ObjectivesMultiple sclerosis (MS) competence is crucial for caregivers of people with MS (PwMS). Having validated MS-specific tools to measure caregivers’ Sense of Competence (SoC) is fundamental to understand if they are coping with their role and/or need support and training. The aim of the study was to develop and validate the Caregiver SoC questionnaire for caregivers of PwMS (CareSoC-MS), a self-report questionnaire, to assess SoC in MS caregivers.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingItaly.Participants191 MS caregivers (sex: 48.7% females; age: 58.6±12.6 years; education: 62.8% high-school/university) self-administered the 27-item CareSoC-MS questionnaire. Psychometric evaluation consisted of analyses of structural validity and reliability, construct validity and discriminant validity. The final version of the CareSoC-MS includes 14 items covering 4 relevant SoC domains: L1-Psychological well-being, L2-Impact on personal social life, L3-Efficacy of the provided care and L4-Satisfaction with one’s own performance as a caregiver.ResultsThe 14-item CareSoC-MS is a psychometrically valid questionnaire with no ceiling or floor effects. Test–retest reliability analysis showed significant intraclass correlation coefficients for L1 (0.80), L2 (0.96), L3 (0.88) and L4 (0.61). L1 and L2 were correlated with self-reported measures of burden, anxiety and depression. Care recipient disability was correlated with L1 and L2, caregiver sex with L1, and caregiver age with L3.ConclusionsThe CareSoC-MS is a valid self-report questionnaire that can be used in clinical practice and research. CareSoC-MS could inform healthcare professionals about how informal caregivers feel capable to face the caregiving requests and, in turn, could help prevent or postpone caregiver burden.

Various pieces of evidence indicate that a scandal involving a film star’s personal life sets off a cascade of online attacks against that star. When people criticize or gossip about another person, they often paint an unfavorable picture of them. This research examines the growing phenomenon of social media scandals and hate speech targeted at film celebrities in Bangladesh. This research conducts a quantitative analysis involving 180 university students aged 18- 30, focusing on three primary aspects: the types of scandals and hate speech prevalent on social media, public comprehension of the lives of frequently scandalized celebrities, and the influence of scandals on perceptions of the film industry. The results indicate that marriage and relationship-related scandals constitute 65.4% of social media discourse, while relationship-based hate speech constitutes 75%. Pearson correlation (r) analysis indicates weak yet significant correlations between scandalized lives and perceptions of film quality (r = .210, p = .009) as well as industry image (r = .175, p = .030). Participants exhibit an understanding of the influence of scandals on celebrities’ personal lives (M = 3.69, SD = 0.92); however, this understanding has a negligible effect on their interest in films (M = 2.92, SD = 1.02). This indicates that audiences are capable of differentiating between personal controversies and their careers. The findings illustrate the intricate relationship among social media scandals, celebrity lives, and industry perception within Bangladesh’s film sector, emphasizing the need to improve online discourse and hate speech management. Social Science Review, Vol. 42(1), June 2025, pp. 147-162

There is a nationwide shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs), particularly in rural areas, which is exacerbated by a lack of infrastructure to support newly trained SANEs in gaining practice experience. To explore the experiences of newly trained SANEs attempting to complete practice hours. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 nurses who had completed an HRSA-funded education program in a Midwestern state. SANEs identified difficulties fitting practice hours into their personal lives and navigating the logistics of coordinating practice experiences. Facilitators for practice experience were employer support, nonclinical activities, and post-training mentorship. Some participants benefited from a toolkit resource; however, the resource was less helpful for SANEs from rural areas. SANE education programs that elicit support from nurses' employers and create an infrastructure for sustained, personalized post-training mentorship may yield greater successes in supporting these nurses through certification and improving access to forensic nursing care.

Geographic distribution of healthcare workers is an issue most countries are challenged with. Regionalisation of surgical training in Ireland has emerged as a hot topic over the past number of years in an effort to address the balance between professional progression, adequacy of surgical training and personal responsibility/circumstance. This issue has been reported on within the NHS, but the way in which it may apply to Irish surgical specialties is now being considered. Our aim was to examine the sentiments of Irish Trauma and Orthopaedic trainees towards a number of issues as they pertain to regionalisation of training. We distributed a questionnaire amongst the HST Trauma and Orthopaedic group of trainees and assimilated the results. We found that 69.1% of trainees felt the current structure of the Irish Trauma and Orthopaedic training system was fit for purpose. Ninety percent of respondents said the current structure of the training scheme puts strain on their personal life and work-life balance. When asked if trainees felt that regionalisation of the training programme would benefit their training, 43.9% replied no, 31% yes and 26.2% were unsure. When asked if, overall, the trainee would be in favour of a regionalised training structure for Trauma and Orthopaedics, 43% said 'No', 40% said 'Yes' and 17% were unsure. An equilibrium of professional surgical progression, optimal patient care and work-life balance is a goal held in the highest regard amongst key stakeholders of Irish surgical training. The solution amongst the various surgical subspecialties may not be a one-size-fits-all approach in pursuit of the optimisation of this balance. Further engagement of key stakeholders in how surgical training will evolve over time is crucial in order to achieve this.

This study aims to examine and discuss the relevance of Sufism as a spiritual approach to addressing digital fatigue, which frequently affects individuals in the digital age. The research was conducted using a qualitative method with a literature review approach. Data were collected from various primary sources, including the thoughts of Imam al-Ghazali, Ibn ‘Arabi, and several other Sufi figures, forming the basis for analysis. The findings indicate that digital fatigue arises from excessive exposure to technology and the blurring of boundaries between professional performance and personal life, with all aspects expected to be always on. This condition leads to stress and mental exhaustion. Sufism offers a transcendental solution through spiritual values such as dhikr, muraqabah, zuhd, ikhlas, and sabr, which serve to cultivate self-awareness, inner peace, and life balance. These findings affirm that Sufism is not merely a traditional spiritual heritage but also a contemporary approach relevant for maintaining mental health and holistic mindfulness in media engagement in the digital era.

This study explores how digital humor functions as a form of critique in contexts where overt dissent is constrained. Focusing on memes shared by members of a Facebook support group for Israeli reservist soldiers’ wives during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, the study analyzes how humor helps negotiate personal and collective tensions. Using thematic and critical discourse analysis, we identify four spheres of critique—targeting spouses, social circles, institutions, and broader expectations. These memes convey frustration and resistance not through direct confrontation, but via irony and satire, allowing women to express grievances while remaining aligned with hegemonic national narratives. We conceptualize this as quasi-political expression, where personal complaints, framed humorously, subtly challenge and reinforce dominant discourses. By introducing this concept, the study highlights how individuals in ideologically constrained settings use digital culture not only to resist or reproduce power, but to navigate the blurred boundaries between personal and political life.

Insufficient and poor sleep quality significantly impacts the health and quality of life of persons with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) on hemodialysis. This study explored the effectiveness of teaching patients on hemodialysis, Benson's relaxation technique. Seventy-one persons on hemodialysis in Iraq were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. The experimental group received training and encouragement to use the Benson relaxation technique. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score was collected for all the patients before and after the intervention. After 8 weeks a repeated measurement of the post-test on sleep quality was done for both groups. The experimental group showed a statistically significant pre- and post-test difference. The findings suggest that Benson's relaxation approach improves the quality of sleep for persons on hemodialysis.