Perspective Of Well-being Research Articles

Technology for access to water in the Amazonian floodplain: positive impacts on the lives of riverine communities in the Middle Solimões, Amazonas State, Brazil

The study presents an assessment of the health and social impacts from the implementation of water supply systems in riverine communities in the Middle Solimões region, Amazonas State, Brazil. Data were collected in 21 rural communities, 19 of which received the water access technology experimentally in the last 14 years. For comparison, three rural communities that had not received the technology participated in the study. A quantitative/qualitative methodology was used with the following techniques: focus groups, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, parasitological tests, and water quality analysis. Even without a reduction in the prevalence of parasite infections, the systems showed impacts on comfort, privacy, and reduction in the time spent on household chores such as fetching water or having to wash clothes and pots and pans outdoors and far from home. The impacts point to an improvement in living conditions from the perspective of wellbeing.

Cultural perspectives of business performance and subjective well-being

Women's entrepreneurship is closely related to managerial effectiveness and innovation and women's limited access to economic resources greatly influences women's welfare. This study aimed to analyze the effects of woman empowerment, entrepreneurial orientation, business network, and business performance on subjective well-being. The research design was in the form of explanatory research and used structural equation modeling. The population in this study were all weaving businesses in Bali Province. Determination of samples in this study was based on non-probability sampling. The sampling used in this study was 112 women weaving business owners. The results of this study reveal that entrepreneurial orientation and business networks had significant effects on business performance and subjective well-being, while women's empowerment had no effect, although it was moderated by the role of bricolage. This research measurement was based on the spiritual philosophy of Tri Hita Karana in cultural perspectives.

Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy on the Well-Being of Employed Poor Asnaf: A Theoretical Framework

The vital purpose of Islam is to ensure and promote the well-being of all humanity and to prevent harm. From the Islamic perspective, well-being is explained through inside and outer fulfillment, driving towards a peaceful life, Hayat-e-Tayyaba. The objectives and vision of well-being are to satisfy the material and non-material needs. Additionally, well-being is an attempt to improve the quality of life to a level that is safe, healthy and comfortable from both the physical and psychological perspectives. These are parallel with the Maqasid al-Shari'ah principles outlined by scholars. From the perspective of asnaf, physical and mental well-being are vital as they are vulnerable to the socioeconomic pressures at present. Thus, the objective of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework of well-being and the role of self-efficacy. The framework explains the relationship between independent variables; physical activity, eating habits and self-efficacy on the well-being of asnaf; physical and mental well-being (dependent variables). The proposed framework has several significant implications for understanding, creating awareness and promoting the well-being of employed poor asnaf.

Testing the structural equation model of the influence of nurses' spiritual well-being and caring behaviour on their provision of spiritual care to patients.

To test a proposed model that determined the effects of nurses' spiritual well-being and caring behaviour on their provision of spiritual care to patients. The spiritual dimension of caring gained attention in the recent past as it is recognized to bring positive patient outcomes. A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design was used in the study. Data were collected from 300 registered nurses working in the hospitals in Pampanga, Philippines. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used to test the model. Nurses had a high level of ideal and lived perspectives of spiritual well-being. They perceived their caring behaviour to be always manifested and occasionally engaged in spiritual activities that supported patient spirituality. The structural equation model provided a feasible model that was either caring behaviour-laden spiritual well-being or spiritual well-being-infused caring behaviour. Nursing administrators may develop guidelines for practice within their institutions that are considerate of the proposed model. They may focus on caring behaviour-laden spiritual well-being model of nursing practice or spiritual well-being-infused caring behaviour model of nursing practice.

Back to Basics: Redefining Health and Well-being in Unprecedented Times

Human capital is undoubtedly one of the main engines of any successful business, and there is nothing more critical to the overall health of a business than ensuring health and safety of its people. Employers are uniquely positioned to improve health and safety through the workplace, yet many organisations struggle to decode the right formula for impactful initiatives and measuring success. It is particularly timely, as the ‘new normal’ of work has pushed workforce well-being up to the top of the priority list. Evidence supports that a healthy and safe workforce can provide a competitive business advantage by positively impacting productivity, business output, sustainability and corporate brand and reputation. The article shares insights into the evolving well-being risk, social profile and medical trends globally with country-specific highlights. We delve into the survey findings on employer and employee perspective of well-being and expectation on the solutions that can support in ensuring overall well-being.

EVALUATING VILLAGERS' LIFE SATISFACTION IN RESETTLEMENT COMMUNITY: A PILOT STUDY OF SUBURBAN NANJING, CHINA

This paper assesses displaced villagers’ life satisfaction in government-designated resettlement communities after land expropriation. From the theoretical perspective of subjective well-being, the study explores the relationship between the overall life satisfaction of displaced villagers and their subjective satisfaction with three dimensions in their post-resettlement life – 1) material living conditions, 2) social security and employment support, and 3) attitudinal perceptions, social relations and participation. A pilot survey was conducted in two resettlement communities in suburban Nanjing. The study shows that while compensation and resettlement policy reforms have improved resettled villagers’ material living conditions; they still struggle with urban life transformation and adaptation from the social and attitudinal perspectives. An integrated resettlement approach is proposed to facilitate better accessibility to social security programs and non-agricultural employment opportunities, and to address issues in identity adaptation, lifestyle transformation, and social activity participation.

Is Pain Time Pattern Predictive of Future Time Perspective in Older Chronic Pain Patients?

Chronic pain patients constitute 65% of those ages 65 and older in the US. Many affected older adults are challenged to manage physical and psychological consequences tied to the intensity, interference, and temporal pattern of their pain. However, little quantitative research highlights the psychological impact of constant versus intermittent or ever-present-yet-variable pain, even though temporal pain pattern may have meaningful predictive power for wellbeing and future time perspective (FTP). A positive and expansive view of the future is particularly adaptive for this population because it is positively associated with treatment adherence. In this study, we analyzed secondary data to determine whether pain temporal pattern and pain duration are associated with differences in participant scores on Carstensen & Lang’s Future Time Perspective scale. All participants (N=142) were 45 years old and older with non-cancer chronic pain lasting three months or more. There was no significant association between pain time pattern and FTP (p=.35). Additionally, controlling for pain duration, average FTP scores did not vary significantly as a function of time pattern (p=.07). Our analyses demonstrated no significant relationship between pain time pattern and FTP and no significant moderating effect of pain duration. However, in contrast to the previous literature, FTP was not significantly associated with age and negatively (rather than positively) associated with subjective health (r=-.08, p=.35; r=-.24, p<.01), thus raising concerns about the generalizability of these findings. Implications for understanding time perceptions in older pain patients are discussed.

Good Heart: Telling Stories of Cardiovascular Protective and Risk Factors for Aboriginal Women

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' perspectives of health and cultural wellbeing encapsulate the spiritual, social and environmental health of individuals, their communities and country. Strategies designed to reduce the cardiovascular burden of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often fail to consider their unique knowledge and worldview. This adapted, grounded theory study sought to explore Aboriginal women's views of cardiovascular protective and risk factors. Twenty-eight (28) women from five women's groups across Central and South Australia participated. Women distinguished the heart as core to their spiritual and physical wellbeing. Women identified six attributes that keep a woman's heart strong, four that can make the heart sick, and eight socio-ecological factors which affect a woman's capacity to care for their heart. Women described having a healthy heart when able to identify as Aboriginal women, being connected to family and community, having a healthy life and body, and being engaged in their health and health care. There are gaps in the provision of cardiovascular risk assessment and management, gaps in the cultural safety of primary health care services, and gaps in the communication of the sex-specific warning signs of a heart attack, all of which must be addressed.

Community satisfaction, sense of community, and social well-being in China

Social well-being in communities has received little research attention, particularly regarding the impact of community satisfaction on social well-being. Thus, we examined the link between community satisfaction and social well-being in the Chinese cultural context, and investigated whether sense of community mediates this relationship. We collected survey data from 572 residents living in various communities in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and used regression analysis to test the hypotheses. Results reveal that community satisfaction was positively related to social well-being, and sense of community played a mediating role in this relationship. Our findings provide a culture- and location-specific perspective of community satisfaction and social well-being in China and highlight the importance of social well-being in community studies.

The impact of attributes of waterfront accessibility on human well-being: Alexandria Governorate as a case study

Waterfront accessibility is one of the major planning aspects of cities. However, tackling this issue from the Human Well-Being (HWB) perspective is relatively new. Alexandria is one of the leading Mediterranean cities that was planned, shaped, and configured as based on its direct linkage to the waterfront. Nowadays, city extensions make many of its newly developed zones detached from the waterfront. This paper investigates the correlations between waterfront accessibility and HWB in Alexandria. It uses an analytical approach -based on statistical investigations- to compare HWB in two zones based on their proximity to the waterfront. The results show that detailed configuration of street pattern and travel duration are the most influencing attributes on waterfront accessibility. Consequently, these attributes have a higher impact on residents’ satisfaction or negative affect, and therefore their HWB than other attributes. The paper concludes with guidelines to policymakers, urban planners, and researchers’ contributions to waterfront accessibility.

福祉的観点にもとづく逸脱行為としての河川敷での勝手耕作の実態解明

福祉的観点にもとづく逸脱行為としての河川敷での勝手耕作の実態解明

Future Directions in Understanding and Addressing Mental Health among LGBTQ Youth

Today’s LGBTQ youth come of age at a time of dynamic social and political change with regard to LGBTQ rights and visibility, yet remain vulnerable to compromised mental health. Despite advances in individual-level treatment strategies, school-based programs, and state-level policies that address LGBTQ mental health, there remains a critical gap in large-scale evidence-based prevention and intervention programs designed to support the positive development and mental health of LGBTQ youth. To spur advances in research and translation, I pose six considerations for future scholarship and practice. I begin by framing LGBTQ (mental) health disparities in a life course perspective and discuss how research focused on the timing of events could offer insight into the optimum targets and timing of prevention and intervention strategies. Next, I argue the importance of expanding notions of “mental health” to include perspectives of wellbeing, positive youth development, and resilience. I then consider how research might attend to the complexity of LGBTQ youths’ lived experience within and across the various contexts they traverse in their day-to-day lives. Similarly, I discuss the importance of exploring heterogeneity in LGBTQ youth experiences and mental health. I also offer suggestions for how community partnerships may be a key resource for developing and evaluating evidence-informed programs and tools designed to foster the positive development and mental health of LGBTQ youth. Finally, I acknowledge the potentials of team science for advancing research and practice for LGBTQ youth health and wellbeing. Throughout, these future directions center the urgent needs of LGBTQ youth.

The Psychological and Social Impact of Covid-19: New Perspectives of Well-Being.

The recent Covid-19 pandemic has had significant psychological and social effects on the population. Research has highlighted the impact on psychological well-being of the most exposed groups, including children, college students, and health workers, who are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of distress. The social distance and the security measures have affected the relationship among people and their perception of empathy toward others. From this perspective, telepsychology and technological devices assume important roles to decrease the negative effects of the pandemic. These tools present benefits that could improve psychological treatment of patients online, such as the possibility to meet from home or from the workplace, saving money and time and maintaining the relationship between therapists and patients. The aim of this paper is to show empirical data from recent studies on the effect of the pandemic and reflect on possible interventions based on technological tools.

A Well-Being Approach to Soil Health—Insights from Aotearoa New Zealand

This paper explores the concept of soil health from a human well-being perspective in Aotearoa New Zealand. Globally, soils play an integral role in wider society and the environment by maintaining a large range of ecosystem services and benefits. As populations and resource constraints increase and food production and food security become growing issues globally, there is a recognition of the importance of defining soil condition or soil health for sustaining all ecosystems, including services and benefits to humans, plants, animals, and micro-organisms. While the ecosystem services approach has helped to illuminate the varied services soils provide, an understanding of the complex human–soil relationships and values has been missing. Those seeking to understand and form concepts about soil health have concentrated on the more inherent biochemical, physical and economic (e.g., productivity) aspects of soils, but not on the human, social or cultural dimensions. It is argued in this paper that soils form an integral part of our social and cultural fabric and are fundamentally important to human and societal well-being. The way humans interact with, value and use soil is a critical part of determining the health and sustainability of soil ecosystems. We discuss how a well-being approach can improve understanding of soil health with respect to societal goals and needs. We believe this type of approach, which includes social and cultural dimensions, provides a more diverse and inclusive knowledge base and perspective to better inform the development of integrative policy. This would lead to improved management and decision-making of land resources and soils in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.

Developing academic wellbeing through writing retreats

ABSTRACT Writing experiences have a crucial role in the wellbeing of academics and PhD researchers and this paper seeks to extend a body of work on writing retreats, by exploring them from a wellbeing perspective. Drawing from literature on wellbeing and the practical experience of developing and delivering writing retreats, it highlights wellbeing outcomes that arise as people write together and engage in social and physical activities away from the university. A sense of wellbeing is developed through the combination of social, physical and sharing activities, which create feelings of confidence, safety and belonging, and a sense of being calm, focused and clear-headed. These states contribute to the writing task, but more importantly can support a general sense of being well. The conclusions draw attention to the importance of non-writing aspects of writing retreats and their role in enhancing peoples’ broader sense of wellbeing. The challenge going forward is how to translate these subjective, personal and relational wellbeing benefits back in to university life. It is difficult to envision how writing retreats might have comprehensive wellbeing impacts unless they are integrated into wider strategic initiatives which start to tackle some of the wider causes of ill-being in HE.

Academic-practitioner collaboration in the neoliberal university

ABSTRACT Collaborations between academics and practitioners working in international development hold significant potential to increase the impact and effectiveness of development research and practice. Innovative and successful collaborations can undoubtedly offer rich benefits to all parties involved. At the same time, it is worth noting that calls for increased collaboration are part of broader economic trends that include shrinking financial support for both the higher education and the overseas development assistance sectors. High-level structural and institutional changes that place partners under increased stress can make effective collaborations more difficult to achieve and maintain and can make them costlier from the perspective of human wellbeing.

How Adverse Childhood Experiences Relate to Subjective Wellbeing in College Students: The Role of Resilience and Depression

The enduring and detrimental impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on later health and wellbeing is now well established. However, research on the relationship between ACEs and subjective wellbeing, along with the potential risk and protective factors, is insufficient in the context of developing countries. The current study therefore, examined the mental health of young adults from a wellbeing perspective in a community emerging from a longstanding war. A national representative sample of college students was withdrawn from the Eritrean Institutions of Higher Education using a stratified systematic sampling (N = 507). Data regarding ACEs, resilience, depression symptoms, and subjective wellbeing were obtained through a direct administration of survey questionnaire. Mediation and moderation effects were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that ACEs were negatively associated with resilience. In turn, resilience was correlated with lower depression and higher subjective wellbeing. ACEs had a positive association with depression, which in turn was negatively related to subjective wellbeing. Further, depression and resilience independently and jointly fully mediated the effect of ACEs on subjective wellbeing. Targeted interventions should be tailored to enhance resilience and prevent depression in this population.

Work ethic and societal norms influence sick leave and return to work: Tales of transformation

Abstract Background Evidence of a positive association between work and health has been gathering up for years and can be explained by social status, contributions to society and the self-worth that work provides. This is maintained through the ideal of work ethic, where working is seen as the moral way of life. Not living up to the morally worthy identity can cause feelings of inadequacy, shame and stigmatisation. Considering this, it is relevant to investigate how people on sick leave manage societal norms and values related to work, and how this influences the sick leave and rehabilitation process. The literature on return to work is extensive and has investigated the issue from different perspectives. How norms influence the return to work process and how individuals and other stakeholders relates to such norms are less commonly explored, which is the focus of the present study. Methods This was a longitudinal interview study with a narrative approach, comprising 38 interviews with 11 individuals on long-term sick leave. Data collection was conducted in two phases and analysed iteratively through content analysis. Results The results suggest that work ethics and societal norms influence individuals' views of themselves and the sick leave and rehabilitation process. Conforming one's personal values to the work norm can create internal conflicts and cause feelings of shame for not being able to live up to the established norm. The strong work norm may create unrealistic expectations, which in some cases may result in constraining the return to work process. Conclusions To transform a sick leave narrative into a positive one, societal norms and their influence on identity needs to be recognised. Stakeholders involved in the process can contribute to a positive transformation by not only supporting return to work, but also to acknowledge and help people manage their self-image as having a disability that limits their ability to work. Key messages Full return to work is not always the best option from a quality of life and well-being perspective. Treatment and support from stakeholders should be viewed as meaningful and legitimate, even if it does not lead to return to work.

28.G. Workshop: Foresight studies at the global, European and national level: what can we learn from them?

Abstract Foresight studies provide valuable information for (strategic) policy-making. They provide insights into the most important future trends and challenges, which is essential for well-informed policy-making. The number of foresight studies in the field of Public Health was limited but the number of studies is growing rapidly over last years. With these studies becoming available, their findings might become a more a regular component of population health monitoring activities. Given the relatively early stage of development of foresight studies in the field of Public health, a proper understanding and interpretation of the future studies might need some further guidance. How to deal with an (uncertain) future in the policy making process is one of the issues that needs to be addressed. This workshop starts with an interactive session to get a better understanding of the level of knowledge and needs regarding foresight studies, followed by the presentations of four different applications of foresight studies. The first one is at the global level from the institute for health metrics and evaluation (IHME) who has a long track record regarding public health data gathering and applying these, for example, to calculate the Global Burden of Disease. Next, EURO-HEALTHY project will present the Scenarios for population health inequalities in 2030 in Europe, partly based on a Web-Delphi process with a multidisciplinary panel. The third presentation will be from Public Health Wales on Futures for Wales which puts future health in the broader perspective of wellbeing. The last presentation will also be a national one, the Public Health foresight study, which has been conducted for more than 2025 years with an update published in 2020. After these presentations, ample time will be reserved for discussion on how these studies could best contribute to better public health policy making. Workshop participants will be informed about the main results of recent foresight studies, allowing them to reflect on these from their own perspective. They will get insight into the approaches and methods used in these recent studies, which may be helpful or inspiring for their own practice. Key messages Public health foresight studies are done more frequently and their findings can influence public health policy making. In this workshop, the methodology and findings of foresight studies at the global, European, and national level will be discussed.

What did infrastructure ever do for us?

What did infrastructure ever do for us?