Poor Psychological Well-being Research Articles

The experiences of people living with obesity and chronic pain: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) protocol.

There is a substantial and progressive association between chronic pain (CP) and living with overweight or obesity. The relationship between obesity and CP is intricate and complex, with obesity being associated with increased pain-related disability, pain intensity, reduction in physical functioning and poorer psychological well-being. A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) provides an opportunity to better understand and reveal key areas within the patient experience of these complex interactions to inform best practice and future intervention design. The aim of this QES is to methodically and systematically review and synthesise the qualitative literature reporting on the personal experiences of people who are both living with obesity (PwO) and chronic pain. The phenomenon of interest of this QES is the lived experiences of PwO and CP. The following research question was developed using a modified Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome and Study type (PICOS) framework: "What are the lived experiences of people living with obesity and chronic pain?". One review author will conduct a systematic search based on keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for finding relevant articles in five peer-review databases, from inception to the date of searching. Two review authors will independently apply inclusion and exclusion criteria and screen articles in a two-stage process. The methodological quality of included studies will be assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool and data will be extracted using a customised template. We will undertake a thematic synthesis of qualitative data from included studies and report our findings narratively. Confidence in the findings will be assessed based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CER-Qual) approach. This study will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA) and Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. It is anticipated that the findings of the review will facilitate a deep and broad understanding of the complex interactions between CP and obesity and will help inform best practice and future intervention design. Findings will be disseminated through journals that undergo peer review, presentations at conferences, engagement with public and patient advocacy groups, and social media. Ethical approval is not required to conduct this review. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023361391.

#1082 Early-stage chronic kidney disease as a risk factor for suicide: a nationwide observational cohort study

Abstract Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with poor psychological well-being. Whether early-stage CKD is a risk factor for suicide warrants further research. Method This nationwide, retrospective, cohort study aimed to evaluate the risk of suicide in patients with early-stage CKD and identify the associated risk factors. A total of 3 945 198 individuals aged ≥19 years who underwent the 2009 national health screening were enrolled. Among them, 202 291 patients had early-stage CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 and <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and/or dipstick albuminuria ≥1+). The study outcome was suicide as confirmed by the nationwide death register based on death certificates. Results The study population had a mean age of 59 ± 15 years, and 47% were male. We identified 930 suicides (incidence rate, 0.45 per 1 000 person-years) in the CKD group and 11 332 suicides (incidence rate, 0.27 per 1 000 person-years) in the non-CKD group. Early-stage CKD was significantly associated with an increased risk of suicide in multivariable analysis adjusted for demographic characteristics; lifestyle habits; comorbidities, including diabetes and hypertension; economic status; and depression (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.09‒1.25). Suicide risk was higher in individuals with proteinuria but preserved kidney function (eGFR >60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and dipstick albuminuria >1+) than in those without CKD. In the CKD group, older males and current smokers had a higher risk of suicide. Conclusion CKD even in the early stages is associated with significantly higher risk of death from suicide. Hence, healthcare providers may need to examine the mental health of patients with early-stage CKD and other risk factors to prevent suicide.

Disclosure Events and Psychosocial Well-Being Among Young South African Adults Living with HIV.

Poor psychological well-being is both prevalent among South Africans living with HIV and has been associated with poor HIV clinical outcomes. However, the relationship between disclosure and psychological well-being remains unclear. This analysis sought to examine the relationship between two disclosure-related variables, disclosure status and reaction received, and psychosocial well-being among a sample of young adults living with HIV (YALWH) in urban South Africa. This was a secondary analysis using observational data from Standing Tall, a randomized controlled trial that recruited 100 participants ages 18-24 who tested positive for HIV after initially presenting to two well-established mobile clinics for HIV testing. Interviews investigating primary and secondary outcomes of interest were done at baseline and 6 months following recruitment. About half (51%) of participants disclosed their HIV status within 6 months after recruitment. Simple linear regression analyses revealed that disclosure of HIV status within 6 months after study enrollment predicted significantly lower levels of disclosure concerns and internalized stigma (p < 0.05). Reactions to disclosure were not significantly associated with any of the measures of psychosocial well-being considered in this analysis (p > 0.05). The results suggest that the act of disclosure among newly diagnosed YALWH may be associated with reductions in internalized stigma. In addition, the finding that the act of disclosure may be a more important determinant of psychosocial well-being than the reaction to disclosure has important implications for interventions designed to promote disclosure and psychosocial well-being in YALWH.

GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS (GNH): A WAY FROM NATIONAL HAPPINESS TO GLOBAL HAPPINESS

Chasing happiness has become a global agenda in todays unrest life where everyone is helpless before stressful living standard, unsustainable environment, unknown pandemics, ill physical, mental and emotional health, poor psychological wellbeing, pervasive influence of technology, relentless search of self-interest at any cost and so on. Globalising development with happiness is the cry of the Earth today. From the core of Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan, a land- locked country, in a state of peace, good will, natural preservation and promotion of culture, Environmental Conservation, Good Governance and Sustainable and equitable socio- economic development, concerted on Gross National Happiness (GNH), endorsing GNP and GDP as unsustainable measures of development with happiness. The operationalization of the methods and tools of GNH is also improving the quality of the living standard of the people of Bhutan as per the GNH survey 2022. Against this background, the paper is an attempt to generalise the GNH model of happiness in Bhutan in particular and over the globe in general. KEY WORDS: Gross National Happiness, Sustainable Development, Global Happiness, Environmental conservation, Good Governance,

The burden of anxiety, depression, and stress, along with the prevalence of symptoms of PTSD, and perceptions of the drivers of psychological harms, as perceived by doctors and nurses working in ICUs in Nepal during the COVID-19 pandemic; a mixed method evaluation.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant physical and psychological impacts for survivors, and for the healthcare professionals caring for patients. Nurses and doctors in critical care faced longer working hours, increased burden of patients, and limited resources, all in the context of personal social isolation and uncertainties regarding cross-infection. We evaluated the burden of anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and alcohol dependence among doctors and nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) in Nepal and explored the individual and social drivers for these impacts. We conducted a mixed-methods study in Nepal, using an online survey to assess psychological well-being and semi-structured interviews to explore perceptions as to the drivers of anxiety, stress, and depression. Participants were recruited from existing national critical care professional organisations in Nepal and using a snowball technique. The online survey comprised of validated assessment tools for anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, and alcohol dependence; all tools were analysed using published guidelines. Interviews were analysed using rapid appraisal techniques, and themes regarding the drivers for psychological distress were explored. 134 respondents (113 nurses, 21 doctors) completed the online survey. Twenty-eight (21%) participants experienced moderate to severe symptoms of depression; 67 (50%) experienced moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety; 114 (85%) had scores indicative of moderate to high levels of stress; 46 out of 100 reported symptoms of PTSD. Compared to doctors, nurses experienced more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, whereas doctors experienced higher levels of stress than nurses. Most (95%) participants had scores indicative of low risk of alcohol dependence. Twenty participants were followed up in interviews. Social stigmatism, physical and emotional safety, enforced role change and the absence of organisational support were perceived drivers for poor psychological well-being. Nurses and doctors working in ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic sustained psychological impacts, manifesting as stress, anxiety, and for some, symptoms of PTSD. Nurses were more vulnerable. Individual characteristics and professional inequalities in healthcare may be potential modifiable factors for policy makers seeking to mitigate risks for healthcare providers.

Emerging health disparities among college graduates: Understanding the health consequences of education-occupation mismatch

This study examines the health consequences and underlying pathways of education-occupation mismatch. Using a longitudinal sample of college graduates from the Panel Studies of Income Dynamics (1984–2019) and employing longitudinal hybrid models, we found that contemporary vertical mismatch (between education level and educational requirements of occupation) was associated with poorer psychological well-being and bio-behaviors (obesity and smoking), but not physical health. In contrast, horizontal mismatch (between field of study and field required for occupation) did not show clear health consequences. Sequence analysis was employed to uncover the mismatch trajectories and revealed that persistent vertical mismatch over one's career had a greater impact on psychological distress and smoking than episodic mismatch experiences. Furthermore, the linkage between vertical mismatch and health outcomes was likely shaped by psychosocial processes rather than reduced material well-being. These findings imply that education-occupation vertical (mis)match produces health disparities between occupationally matched and mismatched college graduates.

Weight-related discrimination, perceived stress and psychological and physical well-being of persons with type 2 diabetes: A mediation analysis.

The aim of the study was to examine perceived stress as a mediator of the association between weight-related discrimination and physical and psychological well-being among persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Data were obtained from 5104 persons with self-reported T2D participating in the All of Us research programme in the United States. The Everyday Discrimination Scale, Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and PROMIS Global Health Scale were used to measure weight-related discrimination, perceived stress and health outcomes (physical and psychological), respectively. Mediation effects of PSS were tested by bootstrapping with 5000 random samples. Participants were, on average, 63.62 (SD 11.38) years old. Majority of them were female (55.53%), non-Hispanic White (72.61%), married or living with a partner (56.92%), had a household income of <$35,000 (31.99%) and had some college education (33.54%). We found that approximately 18% of study participants reported having experienced weight-related discrimination. We also found that weight-related discrimination was independently associated with poor physical and psychological well-being. These associations were partially mediated by perceived stress such that weight-related discrimination was associated with greater perceived stress, which was in turn associated with poorer physical and psychological well-being. Given that weight-related discrimination is associated with poor outcomes through elevated stress, interventions that target stress may disrupt this pathway thereby helping to reduce the health impact of weight-related discrimination. This assertion should, however, be tested in future studies.

Relationship between living rooms with void spaces or partially high ceilings and psychological well-being: A cross-sectional study in Japan

In a building environment, it can be inferred that not only the size of the space but also its height influences the well-being of the occupants through their daily living space. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between perceived ceiling height and occupant’s well-being in residential environments. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived ceiling height in living spaces and well-being in the general population. A total of 3,859 Japanese aged 20–69 years were included in the analysis through an online survey. Psychological well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, and the perceived ceiling height was based on whether the living space had a void space or a partially high ceiling. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of perceived ceiling height for poor psychological well-being were estimated using a modified Poisson regression. A significant association was found between higher living room ceilings and better psychological well-being, especially for taller males (RR 0.894, 95% CI 0.894–0.960). This association was consistent across different housing types, including detached house (RR 0.905, 95% CI 0.829–0.988) and apartments (RR 0.849, 95% CI 0.745–0.968). In contrast, no similar association was found among shorter males and females. These findings suggest that taller people, especially males, may benefit psychologically from living in high-ceiling dwellings.

Clinical practice guideline recommendations to improve the mental health of adult trauma patients: protocol for a systematic review

IntroductionMental disorders are common in adult patients with traumatic injuries. To limit the burden of poor psychological well-being in this population, recognised authorities have issued recommendations through clinical practice guidelines...

The Longitudinal Relationships among Casual Sex and Psychological Well-Being in Chinese College Student

This study integrates the important psychological well-being indicators (i.e., life satisfaction, psychological distress, and self-esteem) into a model framework. We used a cross-lagged panel design (CLPD) to examine the bidirectional relationship between casual sex and psychological well-being among Chinese college students. Chinese college students (N = 833) completed self-report measures (i.e., hookup behavior, life satisfaction, psychological distress, and self-esteem) at six-month intervals. The results show that the ratio of college students who reported engaging in at least one hookup experience in the past year or half a year was lower than that of Western college students. We find that college students with hookup behavior had poorer psychological well-being in later six months than those who did not engage in hookup behavior. However, previous psychological well-being did not predict subsequent hookup behavior. We discuss these findings in terms of China’s unique sexual culture to provide useful information for preventing and interfering with risky sexual behaviors and their negative consequences among Chinese college students. Specifically, this study could provide students with a more in-depth understanding of associated risks, assisting those engaged in or intending to engage in hookups to evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of such behavior. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of implementing targeted educational programs in China that address the psychological consequences of casual sex.

Effect of sleep disordered breathing severity in children with Down syndrome on parental wellbeing and social support

IntroductionSleep disorders, particularly sleep disordered breathing (SDB), are common in children with Down syndrome (DS). We investigated the relationship between SDB severity and parental psychological wellbeing and their perception of social support. Methods44 children with DS (3–19 years) underwent overnight polysomnography and were categorised into three groups: primary snoring, Mild and Moderate/Severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Parents completed questionnaires about their child's behaviour (Child Behavior Checklist), sleep symptoms (Pediatric Sleep Survey Instrument) and SDB-related quality of life (OSA-18), together with the DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support (DUKE) and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) questionnaires for themselves. 34 children completed a follow-up study after 2 years. ResultsThere were no significant differences between SDB severity groups for parental perceived social support or psychological wellbeing. Total scores on the DUKE were below average and PGWBI scores were indicative of moderate psychological distress in all three groups. Reduced perceived levels of social support were significantly correlated with externalising child behaviour and sleep disturbance. Diminished parental psychological wellbeing was also significantly correlated with increased sleep disturbances and reduced quality of life in children. At follow-up there were no significant changes in any questionnaire outcome, however parents of children with improved SDB severity had improved PGWBI vitality scores. ConclusionThe degree of parent-reported sleep disturbance in children with DS was linked to suboptimal perceived parental social support and poor psychological wellbeing. Our results emphasise the need for enhanced awareness of the detrimental effects of sleep problems in children with DS on parental wellbeing.

Social support as a mediator between mental health and stigma among newly HIV-positive men who have sex with men.

The sociocultural context of China gives rise to unique experiences of HIV-related stigma and adverse impacts on mental health among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. However, few studies have explored the stigma among families in the cultural context of China and the role of social support as a mediator to explain how HIV-related stigma results in poor psychological well-being. This study aims to test the mediating effect of social support between HIV-related stigma and family stigma on the mental health of MSM. This cross-sectional study recruited newly MSM with HIV in two cities (Beijing and Wuhan) in China as participants from February 2021 to August 2022. A total of 257 MSM with HIV were recruited for the study. The mediating effects were examined using mediation models (SAS PROC CAUSALMED). The overall total effect of HIV-related stigma on mental health was β = -1.483 (bootstrap 95% CI = -1.881, -1.104 p < 0.001), and the mediating effect of social support was β = -0.321 (bootstrap 95% CI = -0.571, -0.167 p = .001). A higher level of stigma from family predicts lower mental health with an overall total effect of β = -1.487 (bootstrap 95% CI = -1.823, -1.101 p < 0.001), while the indirect effect (mediation effect) of social support on mental health is β = -0.281 (bootstrap 95% CI = -0.477, -0.142 p = .003). Given the mediating effect of social support on mental health, programs enhancing social support and decreasing stigmatization should be designed to improve the mental health of MSM with HIV, the interventions are needed at both the family and community levels. Public health campaigns in China that frame HIV and same-sex behavior as chronic issues and normal phenomena can correct misinformation related to HIV and MSM that leads to stigma and negative emotional reactions.

Engaging the AQ10 to Predict Professional Burnout or Poor Work-Related Psychological Wellbeing Among Anglican Clergy in Wales

The ten-item Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) is a self-report instrument originally designed to identify referrals for professional diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Recent studies suggest that this instrument may also be tapping more generalised affective disorders. Working with this interpretation, this study examines the predictive power of the AQ10 to account for additional variance, after personal and personality factors have been taken into account, on the two scales of the Francis Burnout Inventory. Data provided by 220 Anglican clergy serving in Wales demonstrated that 8.6% of the participants recorded six or more red flags on the AQ10 (and so qualified for referral for specialist diagnostic assessment) and that higher scores on the AQ10 are associated with significantly lower levels of satisfaction in ministry and with significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion in ministry. These data suggest that screening with the AQ10 may be helpful in identifying clergy vulnerable to professional burnout and to poor work-related psychological wellbeing, in addition to its primary purpose of screening for ASD.

Health-related quality of life, jaw function and sleep-disordered breathing among patients with dentofacial deformity.

Patients with dentofacial deformity (DFD) requiring orthognathic treatment have poor aesthetics, jaw function and psychological well-being, which potentially affect the quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the health-related general, oral and orthognathic quality of life, jaw function and sleep-disordered breathing at different stages of orthognathic surgical treatment. A total of 120 consecutive patients with DFD were recruited and grouped as pre-orthodontic treatment (group 1), pre-surgery (group 2), 4 months post-surgery (group 3), 24 months post-surgery (group 4) and in addition 30 controls without DFD (group 0). Outcomes were assessed using general health Short Form Survey (SF-36), Oral Health Impact (OHIP-14), Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ), STOP-Bang and Jaw Function Limitation Scale (JFLS) questionnaires. In addition, presence or absence of pain was recorded. Data were tested with analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Tukey post hoc test and structural equation modelling (SEM). Results revealed SF-36 (p = .814) and STOP-Bang (p = .143) total scores did not differ between control and treatment groups. In contrast, OHIP-14, OQLQ and JFLS total scores differed between groups (p = .001). Higher scores were observed in groups 1 (p = .001), 2 (p = .001) and 3 (p = .041) compared to group 0, indicating poor oral health in patients with DFD. Importantly, in group 4, oral health-related quality of life was better, and OHIP-14 (p = .936) and JFLS (p = .572) scores did not differ from controls. OQLQ scores of group 4 were significantly lower than group 1 (p = .001) but higher than group 0 (p = .013). SEM results revealed a significant negative associations of pain with JFLS and OQLQ; OHIP-14 with OQLQ; OHIP-14 with SF-36; and finally STOP-Bang with SF-36. Positive associations were observed between JFLS and OHIP-14; OHIP-14 and OQLQ. Oral health-related quality of life and jaw function appears to be improved 24 months after orthognathic surgery. Pain and limitation in jaw function had a negative association with health-related quality of life.

Study on psychological well-being and its determinants among elderly people attending geriatric clinic at Medical College, Kolkata

Background: Significant growth in the proportion of older people in India will lead to changes in the country’s society. If common psychological problems such as depression and anxiety are not addressed, they can have lasting effects on individuals, particularly older individuals. It has the potential to impair the management of ongoing chronic illnesses and result in both physical and mental limitations. Aims and Objectives: The objective was to assess the psychological well-being (PWB) of the study participants attending the geriatric outpatient department and its contributing factor(s). Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted in the Geriatric Clinic of Medical College, Kolkata, among 301 geriatric people during a 1-year time period. The assessment of PWB was done using Ryff’s PWB scales, 42-item version. The analysis of the data was done using SPSS version 16. Results: The mean age of the participants was 66.68 (±6.48) years. The mean PWB score was 156.2 ± 18.6 according to Ryff’s PWB scales. The minimum score was 94, and the maximum score was 226. Poor PWB was seen among 50.8% of the elderly. Conclusion: Poor PWB among seniors and several factors such as current living arrangements, socioeconomic status, employment history, history of recent injury, and patients’ spiritual history play an important role. To handle the issue, new and modified geriatric health policies are very much needed.

High doses of a national preschool program are associated with the long-term mitigation of adverse outcomes in cognitive development and life satisfaction among children who experience early stunting: a multi-site longitudinal study in Vietnam.

Stunting (low height-for-age) is a marker of cumulative developmental disadvantage that can also contribute to impaired cognitive development and poor psychological wellbeing. Several interventions designed to preserve stunted children's developmental potential through increasing their cognitive stimulation have proven to be effective. However, their resource-intensive nature limits their sustainability and scalability in the low-and middle-income countries in which 98% of stunted children live. The current study had three aims: to identify the domains of developmental disadvantage associated with stunting at 5 years of age in the Vietnamese context; to examine the relationship between Vietnamese children's stunting status at 5 years of age, the dose of the national preschool program they received, and their cognitive skills and psychological well-being at 4 ages; and to determine whether some doses of the national preschool program were associated with the mitigation of adverse cognitive and wellbeing outcomes among stunted children. The Young Lives Study in Vietnam (n = 2,000; 31 sites) provided archival data that allowed calculation of the approximate dose (in hours) of the preschool program received by children, and longitudinal data on children's growth (1, 5, 8, 12, and 15 years), receptive vocabulary (5, 8, 12 and 15 years), reading skills, mathematics skills and life satisfaction (each at 8, 12, and 15 years). Stunting at 5 years of age was associated with diverse aspects of financial and social disadvantage, greater exposure to health risks, lower preventive health care, and constraints on maternal care. Scores for all cognitive variables at all ages were positively associated with preschool dose and negatively associated with stunted growth at 5 years of age. That is, effects associated with stunting and preschool dose at 5 years of age continued to be found during the subsequent 10 years. High doses of preschool education (3,000 h or more) were associated with the mitigation of adverse outcomes for most cognitive variables at most ages. The current findings raise the possibility that generic preschool programs delivered at high dose may provide a scalable and sustainable intervention to support the life opportunities of children who experience early stunting.

Digital Media-Based Interventions to Promote Healthy Lifestyles and Psychological Wellbeing of Nurses in Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to find out the effectiveness of applying digital media tools as an intervention to enhance the availability of information and resources related to mental health care to nurses and promote a healthy lifestyle. A growing number of health care workers suffer from mental health issues and poor psychological well-being. Many workers report cases of anxiety, burnout, and depression because of poor working conditions and unfavorable environments. Protecting health and well-being of care workers through integration of interventions aimed at increasing knowledge on mental health is one of the best strategies that could yield good outcomes for care givers. Nurses spend a large proportion of their lives in hospitals, hence, a need to create a healthy and safe working environment. Investing in a culture of managing and preventing mental health issues among the nursing staff by integrating modern approaches aimed at supporting education and training on mental health and psychological wellbeing remains a key agenda for the improvement of wellbeing of nurses. Emerging digital technologies such as social media, mobile-based and web-based applications have created new ways that individuals use to interact with one another, and could be very useful in creating awareness and enhancing knowledge on mental health and wellbeing of nurses. Majority of nurses have access to smartphones, which makes it easy to access mental health care through various mobile applications.&#x0D; Methodology: The study targeted nurses in Kenyan hospitals, with specific focus on public hospitals in Embu County. A quantitative research was conducted with a sample size of 100 nurses from level-4 and level-5 hospitals. 65 responses were collected.&#x0D; Findings: The outcome showed that majority of nurse have active social media channels and have been using them to learn more about mental health. Also, it was found out that using social media has a major role to play in increasing awareness on mental health among nurses, and it ensures nurses embrace a healthy lifestyle.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Findings from the study are of great significance towards developing interventions and policy approaches for promoting healthy lifestyle and improving psychological wellbeing of nurses. Also, the outcome would be of help in developing policy frameworks for managing and preventing mental health among health workers.

Psychological morbidities among Nepalese migrant workers to Gulf and Malaysia.

One of the important aftereffects of rapid global development is international mobility, which has placed the health of migrant workers as a key public health issue. A less-developed country, Nepal, with political instability and a significant lack of employment, could not remain untouched by this phenomenon of migration. Our goal was to identify and determine the predictors of anxiety, depression, and psychological wellbeing among Nepalese migrant workers in Gulf countries (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain) and Malaysia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was used to collect information from 502 Nepalese migrant workers in the arrival section of Tribhuvan International Airport from May to June 2019 using purposive sampling. Workers with a minimum work experience of 6 months and above were included in the study. A structured questionnaire with socio-demographic items was used along with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and WHO (five) wellbeing scale for measuring the subjective psychological wellbeing and screening for depression. The mean age of the respondents was 32.97 years. Majority (41.8%) of the respondents had work experience in Qatar and 63.7% had work experience of 1-5 years. The results suggested that 14.4% had mild to severe depression while 4.4% had a moderate level of anxiety. The WHO5 wellbeing index score suggested that 14.1% of the respondents had a score below 13, which is suggestive of poor psychological wellbeing. Further, the country of work (p = 0.043), sleeping hours (p = 0.001), occupation (p = 0.044), working hours (p = 0.000), water intake (p = 0.010) and anxiety level (p = 0.000) were found to be significantly associated with depression score. Similarly, sleeping hours (p = 0.022), occupation (p = 0.016), working hours (p = 0.000), water intake (p = 0.010), and anxiety level (0.000) were significantly associated with the WHO5 wellbeing score. Nepalese migrant workers in the Gulf countries (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain) and Malaysia bear an important burden of psychological morbidities. This highlights the need to prioritize the migrant worker's mental health by Nepal as well as Gulf countries and Malaysia.

Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Academics’ Work-Life Balance, Psychological Well-Being, Turnover Intention and Productivity

Achieving a good work-life balance leads to being an employer of choice as well as attracting the best employees. The same can be said of academia, where having a well-balanced work-life balance can contribute to attracting, developing, and retaining suitably qualified academics. In this study, the aim is to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on academics’ work-life balance, psychological well-being, and productivity. The contribution of this study is towards establishing strategies that can be adopted to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-life balance, psychological wellbeing, and academic productivity. A quantitative approach was adopted, and the target population consisted of academics from a selected university of technology in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This study employed the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique, and the data was analysed using AMOS 27 statistical software. The results obtained revealed that the majority of academics still work longer hours than is normally expected. Academics were found to have less time to spend with their families and loved ones than is considered typical in the literature for achieving a healthy work-life balance. There is evidence to show that poor psychological well-being of academics strengthens or moderates the effects of work-life balance on academic productivity, with beta = -0.232† (p &lt; 0.100). Furthermore, the findings revealed that academics felt they did not have control over the reduction of their stress levels caused by the heavy workloads placed on them.&#x0D; &#x0D; Received: 11 June 2023 / Accepted: 22 September 2023 / Published: 5 November 2023

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN PSYCHOSEXUAL FACTORS, FAMILY VARIABLES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Links between psychosexual factors (sexual communication and sexual satisfaction), family variables (marital satisfaction, years in marriage, and the number of children), and psychological well-being among Yoruba older adults of Southwestern Nigeria were investigated. A cross-sectional research design was used for the study. Two hundred and nine (209) older adults aged 60 to 92 years (M = 68.2, SD = 8.05, Females = 81, Males = 128) were conveniently drawn from five (5) communities in Southwestern Nigeria. Data collected from the samples using a self-administered paper and pencil questionnaire were analyzed using Structural equation modelling (SEM). Results showed that sexual satisfaction has a direct and significant effect on marital satisfaction and psychological well-being among older adults; sexual satisfaction mediates the effect of years in marriage on psychological well-being; increased number of children leads to lower marital satisfaction and poor psychological well-being in old age, and sexual communication enhances psychological well-being in old age. Notwithstanding the fact that sexual behaviour is shrouded in secrecy among older adults in some African cultures like Nigeria, the study concluded that it plays a significant role in enhancing their psychological well-being.