Physical Well-being Factors Research Articles

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and its associated factors in older adults: a cross-sectional study in Kathmandu, Nepal

ABSTRACTObjective: Globally, depression is one of the most prevalent and burdensome conditions in older adults. However, there are few population-based studies of depression in older adults in developing countries. In this paper, we examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and explore possible contributory risk factors in older adults living in Nepal.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two semi-urban communities in Kathmandu, Nepal. Depression was assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale in 303 participants, aged 60 years and over. Multivariate logistic regression was then used to assess associations between potential risk factors and depression.Results: More than half of the participants (n = 175, 60.6%) had significant depressive symptomatology, with 27.7% having scores suggesting mild depression. Illiteracy (aOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.08–3.75), physical immobility (aOR = 5.62, 95% CI: 1.76–17.99), the presence of physical health problems (aOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.03–3.77), not having any time spent with family members (aOR = 3.55, 95% CI: 1.29–9.76) and not being considered in family decision-making (aOR = 4.02, 95% CI: 2.01–8.04) were significantly associated with depression in older adults.Conclusion: The prevalence of depression was significant in older adults. There are clear associations of depression with demographic, social support and physical well-being factors in this population. Strategies that increase awareness in the community along with the health and social care interventions are needed to address the likely drivers of depression in older adults.

Stress among Mansoura (Egypt) baccalaureate nursing students.

Over the last years, details regarding levels of stress and sources of stress have emerged in studies of nursing students in Western population To date, there only few similar reports on clinical stress, anxiety, depression among the Arab population .This study was conducted to examine the level of perceived stress among baccalaureate Mansoura nursing students and to highlight the possible predicting factors. In this cross- sectional study, Data were obtained from 373 students using a self-administered questionnaire, including questions on sociodemographics, list of possible stressors, perceived stress, physical wellbeing factors, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Prevalence of high stress level, anxiety and depression were 40.2%, 46.6% and 27.9%, respectively. On average each student reported a mean of 4.6 stressors and academic pressures were the most frequent stressors .In regression analysis the number of stressors and global sickness index score were predictors of high stress level. These findings call for introduction of stress management programs and psychiatric care into nursing health services of the University.

Does Gender Predict Medical Students’ Stress in Mansoura, Egypt?

Background: Medical education is perceived as being stressful with negative effects on students’ mental health. However, few studies have addressed the influence of gender on stress in medical students.Aim: To compare male and female medical students in Egypt on sources of stress, perception of stress, anxiety, depression, physical symptomatology, and personality profile.Methods: Data were collected through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, stressors, perceived stress scale, physical wellbeing factors, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale as well as neuroticism and extraversion subscales of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.Results: Stressors were reported by 94.5% of the total sample with equal gender proportions. Univariate analysis indicated that female students scored higher than males on depression and neu-roticism scales while male and female medical students were similar on level of perceived stress, number of stressors, clinical anxiety, physical well-being factors and the extraversion scale. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the independent predictors of a high stress level were the presence of more than five stressors, clinical anxiety and depression, and increased scores on the global sickness index and on the extraversion and neuroticism sub-scales.Conclusion: Despite there being no significant difference in perceived stress according to gender, females were less likely to cite relationship problems with teachers and substance abuse as sources of stress. Moreover, females scored significantly higher than males on depression and neuroticism scales.

Does Gender Predict Medical Students’ Stress in Mansoura, Egypt?

Background:Medical education is perceived as being stressful with negative effects on students’ mental health. However, few studies have addressed the influence of gender on stress in medical students. Aim:To compare male and female medical students in Egypt on sources of stress, perception of stress, anxiety, depression, physical symptomatology, and personality profile.Methods:Data were collected through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, stressors, perceived stress scale, physical wellbeing factors, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale as well as neuroticism and extraversion subscales of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.Results:Stressors were reported by 94.5% of the total sample with equal gender proportions. Univariate analysis indicated that female students scored higher than males on depression and neuroticism scales while male and female medical students were similar on level of perceived stress, number of stressors, clinical anxiety, physical well-being factors and the extraversion scale. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the independent predictors of a high stress level were the presence of more than five stressors, clinical anxiety and depression, and increased scores on the global sickness index and on the extraversion and neuroticism sub-scales.Conclusion:Despite there being no significant difference in perceived stress according to gender, females were less likely to cite relationship problems with teachers and substance abuse as sources of stress. Moreover, females scored significantly higher than males on depression and neuroticism scales.

Medical students' cognitive appraisal of stressful life events as related to personality, physical well-being, and academic performance: a longitudinal study

Abstract This longitudinal study was designed to test three hypotheses that medical students who can cope better with adversity would: (1) have a more positive personality profile, (2) report less physical illnesses, (3) perform better academically. Total participants were 2114 medical students at Jefferson Medical College who completed a set of psychosocial questionnaires, and were prospectively followed up during medical school education and beyond. Participants reported on a five-point scale their appraisal of five stressors (death or health deterioration of a family member, personal illness, financial, and academic problems). Students who experienced the stressors (n=1446, 68% of total participants) were divided into three groups (Resilient, Intermediate, Frail) based on their appraisal of the stressors. The three groups were compared on a set of personality scales (e.g. general anxiety, depression, test anxiety, neuroticism, loneliness, self-esteem and extraversion), physical well-being factors (e.g. chronic health, eating/drinking/smoking, agitation symptoms, somatic symptoms, and global sickness), and academic performance indicators in medical school (e.g. grade point averages, class rank, and medical licensing examinations), and ratings of clinical competence in postgraduate medical training. Hypotheses 1 and 2 were confirmed, and hypothesis 3 was partially confirmed. Implications for developing coping skills, stress management strategies, and student counseling are discussed.

A Study of Certain Factors Influencing Academic Achievement with Special Reference to the Health Factor

idea of measuring vital capacity, breathing capacity or chest circumference, then expan sion. This measure was usually added to the weight/height index. Vierordt's formula for determining weight in connection with body length and chest circumference endeavored to present this combination mathematically. Some investigators believed that strength was a factor in physical well-being, and intro duced the measures of grip, generally used with other measures. Naccarati evolved the