Psychosocial Health Benefits Research Articles

Online Mindful Movement Approach for Older Adults: Two Case Studies

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact, especially on many older individuals. Outbreaks significantly affected accessibility and community engagement, making it challenging to maintain social connections with family, friends, and society. Social distancing measures and lockdown restrictions have been linked to challenges in physical and mental health, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that can alleviate the pandemic’s impact and foster meaningful social connections, particularly for older adults experiencing age-related cognitive changes (ACC). In response, an online mindful movement approach (MMA) targeting loneliness and psychological wellbeing in older adults experiencing ACC (n = 16) was implemented. This paper presents a comparative analysis highlighting two case studies derived from the parent study, examining the impact of the online MMA for older adults experiencing ACC. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the two cases. The participants reported a decrease in loneliness along with notable improvements in self-awareness, mood, and social connectedness. Additionally, they experienced an enhancement in their mindfulness practice and discovered new ways to use movement to enhance their well-being. The findings suggested that online MMA offered an alternative platform that can provide physical and psychosocial health benefits to older adults experiencing ACC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tai Chi as a Body-Mind Exercise for Promotion of Healthy Aging in Nursing Home Residents: Appropriateness, Feasibility, and Effectiveness.

The lack of activity, opportunity for providing input and participation in activities, and interaction with other people are the features of institutional living which reinforces dependency among nursing home residents. Residents are usually frustrated with paternalistic-type care. Arranging health-oriented meaningful activities for residents contributes to health promotion and enhancement of healthy aging. Moreover, it contributes to the cultivation of a positive meaning of life which is particularly important as residents reach the late geriatric stages of their lives. With exercise being seen as generally beneficial for health, Tai Chi as a Chinese-based exercise with a body-mind emphasis and unique characteristics becomes a particularly suitable exercise in aiding the residents in this major shift of lifestyle. This paper analyzes the appropriateness, feasibility, and effectiveness of Tai Chi in promoting healthy aging for residents. Theoretical considerations and scientific evaluations lend it appropriate, feasible, and effective in providing physiological and psychosocial health benefits to the residents. This paper recommends the use of Tai Chi to promote healthy aging in nursing home residents. With a rapidly aging population and mounting demand for residential geriatric care worldwide, this paper's timely findings should provide important implications for adopting Tai Chi to advance the quality of care delivered by nursing homes worldwide.

Psychological Experiences During Previous High School Sport Participation Predict College Students’ Current Psychological Health

Adolescent sport participation has been positively associated with psychological health outcomes. Yet, further research is needed to explore how psychosocial health benefits from sport may be maximized or minimized based on one’s psychological experiences during previous sport participation. The present study examined associations among retrospective psychological experiences of high school sport participation and markers of current college students’ psychosocial health. American college students (N = 300) self-reported retrospective high school sport experiences (i.e., burnout, engagement, and stress) and current psychosocial health outcomes (i.e., social support, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction) via an online interface. Moderated multiple regression analyses showed high school sport burnout, stress, and engagement to predict significant variance in college social support (p < .05), anxiety (p < .01), depressive symptoms (p < .01), and life satisfaction (p < .01). Results provide evidence that retrospective accounts of high school sport participation experiences (i.e., low burnout, low stress, and positive engagement) were associated with more adaptive post-high school psychosocial outcomes in college. This information may guide future prospective studies and aid practitioners by proving a broader understanding of psychosocial outcomes of sport participation.

Virtual nature, inner forest: Prospects for immersive virtual nature art and well-being

Over a number of decades, studies have revealed compelling relationships between experiences of the natural environment and positive health outcomes in adult communities. These psychosocial health benefits have typically been described via key theoretical frameworks in the health sciences, such as the biophilia hypothesis. Despite the body of evidence for nature design and well-being, propositions for immersive virtual nature experiences are still emerging across the fields of creativity and health. In this article, we identify the potential for immersive virtual nature art as a creative well-being intervention, articulated through a discussion of background literature and concepts leading to the development of our artwork, Inner Forest (2020–21). This article incorporates a transdisciplinary suite of perspectives across three key parts; in the first section, we review key health and design research around beneficial nature experiences, with particular emphasis on designing technological nature. Secondly, we propose considerations for immersive virtual nature experiences, as distinct from prior iterations of technological nature; these considerations are framed through discussion of our artistic and well-being rationale for designing the collaborative artwork Inner Forest. This extended reality (XR) project was developed in response to well-being challenges such as social isolation and restricted nature access- of particular valence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The artwork incorporates multisensory, aesthetic elements drawn from biophilic design guidelineswhich support creative, evidence-based approaches to designed nature and societal health. To conclude this article, we report on prospects for further scaling of the Inner Forest artwork, with ongoing scope to contribute to both nature-health design and immersive virtual nature art practices.

Corruption and mental health: Evidence from Vietnam

• We examine the relationship between exposure to local corruption and mental health in rural Vietnam. • Using two datasets, we find strong and consistent evidence that petty corruption is positively associated with psychological distress. • Suggestive evidence that a recent anti-corruption campaign had significant positive effects on mental health. • There may be substantial psychosocial and mental health benefits from efforts to reduce corruption and improve governance. While there is substantial corruption in developing countries, the costs imposed by corruption on individuals and households are little understood. This study examines the relationship between exposure to local corruption and mental health, as measured by depressive symptoms. We use two large data sets – one cross-sectional and one panel – collected across rural Vietnam. After controlling for individual and regional characteristics, we find strong and consistent evidence that day-to-day petty corruption is positively associated with psychological distress. Our results are robust to a variety of specification checks. Further, we find that the relationship between corruption and mental health is stronger for women, and that there are no heterogeneous effects by poverty status. An examination of the underlying mechanisms shows that reductions in income and trust associated with higher corruption may play a role. Finally, using a difference-in-difference estimation strategy, we also provide suggestive evidence that a recent high profile anti-corruption campaign had significant positive effects on mental health. Overall, our findings indicate that there may be substantial psychosocial and mental health benefits from efforts to reduce corruption and improve rural governance structures.

\u201cWe were all together\u201d- families\u2019 experiences of the health-promoting programme \u2013 A Healthy Generation

BackgroundHealthy lifestyle habits, including physical activity (PA), are associated with a broad range of positive psychosocial and physical health benefits. However, there are challenges involved in reaching vulnerable groups in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. There is a lack of research on family-based PA interventions, specifically considering psychosocial health. The purpose of this study was to explore how families experienced psychosocial aspects of health after participation in a family-based programme, A Healthy Generation.MethodsA Healthy Generation is a health-promoting, family-based programme delivered in collaboration with local municipalities and sport associations in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in Sweden. Families with children in grade 2 (8–9 years), including siblings, participate in health-promoting activities, including activity sessions, healthy meals, health information and parental support groups. Data was collected through interviews with parents and children (n = 23) from a controlled pilot trial of the programme. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method.ResultsThree themes and seven sub-themes emerged. The themes were: “A sense of belonging”, “Awareness of one’s role as a parent” and “Inspiration towards new and healthier behaviours”. In terms of A sense of belonging, participation in the programme was the families own free zone, where they also had the opportunity of being together with other families in the programme. For participants that were isolated and lacked a social network, their participation helped them towards social participation. During the programme, parents created an Awareness of one’s role as a parent, with new insights on how to act as a parent and they also negotiated differences between each other. Participation in the programme contributed to Inspiration towards new and healthier behaviours such as experience-based insights and healthy lifestyle changes.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of co-participation in family-based health-promoting programmes to enhance psychosocial health among families in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. The results give new insights into participants’ experiences of psychosocial aspects of health after participation in a family-based PA programme. This knowledge can contribute to the understanding of how to design health-promoting, family-based interventions to promote psychosocial health in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.Trial registrationISRCTN ISRCTN11660938. Retrospectively registered 23 September 2019.

Flint Kids Cook: positive influence of a farmers' market cooking and nutrition programme on health-related quality of life of US children in a low-income, urban community.

To examine changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among youth who participated in Flint Kids Cook, a 6-week healthy cooking programme for children, and assess whether changes in HRQoL were associated with changes in cooking self-efficacy, attitude towards cooking (ATC) and diet. Pre-post survey (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Block Kids Food Screener, 8-item cooking self-efficacy, 6-item ATC) using child self-report at baseline and programme exit. Analysis involved paired sample t-tests and Pearson's correlations. Farmers' market in Flint, Michigan, USA. Children (n 186; 55·9 % female, 72·6 % African American) participated in Flint Kids Cook from October 2017 to February 2020 (mean age 10·55 ± 1·83 years; range 8-15). Mean HRQoL summary score improved (P < 0·001) from baseline (77·22 ± 14·27) to programme exit (81·62 ± 14·43), as did mean psychosocial health summary score (74·68 ± 15·68 v. 79·04 ± 16·46, P = 0·001). Similarly, physical (P = 0·016), emotional (P = 0·002), social (P = 0·037), and school functioning (P = 0·002) improved. There was a correlation between change in HRQoL summary score and change in ATC (r = -0·194, P = 0·025) as well as change in cooking self-efficacy (r = -0·234, P = 0·008). Changes in HRQoL and psychosocial health summary scores were not correlated with dietary changes, which included decreased added sugar (P = 0·019) and fruit juice (P = 0·004) intake. This study is the first to report modest yet significant improvements in HRQoL among children and adolescents who participated in a healthy cooking programme. Results suggest that cooking programmes for youth may provide important psychosocial health benefits that are unrelated to dietary changes.

Dance for people with chronic respiratory disease: a qualitative study

ObjectivesTo explore the experiences and perceived impact on health and well-being related to participation in a dance group for people with chronic respiratory disease (CRD).DesignAn exploratory qualitative study using thematic...

Corruption and Mental Health: Evidence From Vietnam

While there is substantial corruption in developing countries, the costs imposed by corruption on individuals and households are little understood. This study examines the relationship between exposure to local corruption and mental health, as measured by depressive symptoms. We use two large data sets – one cross-sectional and one panel – collected across rural Vietnam. After controlling for individual and regional characteristics, we find strong and consistent evidence that day-to-day petty corruption is positively associated with psychological distress. Our results are robust to a variety of specification checks. Further, we find that the relationship between corruption and mental health is stronger for women, and that there are no heterogeneous effects by poverty status. An examination of the underlying mechanisms shows that reductions in income and trust associated with higher corruption may play a role. Finally, using a difference-in-difference estimation strategy, we also provide suggestive evidence that a recent high profile anti-corruption campaign had significant positive effects on mental health. Overall, our findings indicate that there may be substantial psychosocial and mental health benefits from efforts to reduce corruption and improve rural governance structures.

Corruption and Mental Health: Evidence from Vietnam

While there is substantial corruption in developing countries, the costs imposed by corruption on individuals and households are little understood. This study examines the relationship between exposure to local corruption and mental health, as measured by depressive symptoms. We use two large data sets – one cross-sectional and one panel – collected across rural Vietnam. After controlling for individual and regional characteristics, we find strong and consistent evidence that day-to-day petty corruption is positively associated with psychological distress. Our results are robust to a variety of specification checks. Further, we find that the relationship between corruption and mental health is stronger for women, and that there are no heterogeneous effects by poverty status. An examination of the underlying mechanisms shows that reductions in income and trust associated with higher corruption may play a role. Finally, using a difference-in-difference estimation strategy, we also provide suggestive evidence that a recent high profile anti-corruption campaign had significant positive effects on mental health. Overall, our findings indicate that there may be substantial psychosocial and mental health benefits from efforts to reduce corruption and improve rural governance structures.

What Players of Virtual Reality Exercise Games Want: Thematic Analysis of Web-Based Reviews.

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is associated with a variety of physical and psychosocial health benefits, but levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA remain low worldwide. Virtual reality (VR) gaming systems involving movement (VR exergames) could be used to engage people in more PA.ObjectiveThis study aimed to synthesize public reviews of popular VR exergames to identify common features that players liked or disliked to inform future VR exergame design.MethodsWe conducted a thematic analysis of 498 reviews of the 29 most popular exergames sold in the top 3 VR marketplaces: Steam (Valve Corporation), Viveport (Valve Corporation), and Oculus (Oculus VR). We categorized reviews as positive and negative as they appeared in the marketplaces and identified the most common themes using an inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThe reviews were often mixed, reporting a wide variety of expectations, preferences, and gaming experiences. Players preferred highly realistic games (eg, closely simulated real-world sport), games that were intuitive (in terms of body movement and controls), and games that provided gradual increases in skill acquisition. Players reported feeling that they reached a high level of exertion when playing and that the immersion distracted them from the intensity of the exercise. Some preferred features included music and social aspects of the games, with multiplayer options to include friends or receive help from experienced players. There were 3 main themes in negative reviews. The first concerned bugs that rendered games frustrating. Second, the quality of graphics had a particularly strong impact on perceived enjoyment. Finally, reviewers disliked when games had overly complex controls and display functions that evoked motion sickness.ConclusionsExergames prove to be a stimulating avenue for players to engage in PA and distract themselves from the negative perceptions of performing exercise. The common negative aspects of VR exergames should be addressed for increased uptake and continued engagement.

Physical Activity and Sports-Real Health Benefits: A Review with Insight into the Public Health of Sweden.

Positive effects from sports are achieved primarily through physical activity, but secondary effects bring health benefits such as psychosocial and personal development and less alcohol consumption. Negative effects, such as the risk of failure, injuries, eating disorders, and burnout, are also apparent. Because physical activity is increasingly conducted in an organized manner, sport’s role in society has become increasingly important over the years, not only for the individual but also for public health. In this paper, we intend to describe sport’s physiological and psychosocial health benefits, stemming both from physical activity and from sport participation per se. This narrative review summarizes research and presents health-related data from Swedish authorities. It is discussed that our daily lives are becoming less physically active, while organized exercise and training increases. Average energy intake is increasing, creating an energy surplus, and thus, we are seeing an increasing number of people who are overweight, which is a strong contributor to health problems. Physical activity and exercise have significant positive effects in preventing or alleviating mental illness, including depressive symptoms and anxiety- or stress-related disease. In conclusion, sports can be evolving, if personal capacities, social situation, and biological and psychological maturation are taken into account. Evidence suggests a dose–response relationship such that being active, even to a modest level, is superior to being inactive or sedentary. Recommendations for healthy sports are summarized.

Sports gynaecology

Key content While the physiological, psychosocial and obstetric health benefits of exercise are well established, there is less awareness of the health implications of long‐term intense exercise. Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED‐S) represents a complex inter‐relationship of health consequences that arise as a result of low energy availability. The common presentations of elite sportswomen to gynaecologists include menstrual abnormalities, delayed menarche, subfertility and urinary incontinence. Gynaecology input, including screening, recognition and management, can minimise the risk of consequences and optimise health, fertility and performance. Learning objectives To understand the short‐term and long‐term impacts of elite sport on gynaecological health. To describe the gynaecologist's role in the screening, investigation and management of elite sportswomen. Ethical issues Elite sportswomen should be fully informed about the potential health implications of long‐term vigorous exercise to enable autonomous decision making. While it is the role of the coach to optimise performance, it is the physician's responsibility to prioritise the health of sportswomen, even if this is at the expense of performance level, ability to train or competition rules. To reach an elite level, training is often necessary from childhood; however, many girls will not have capacity, and the health consequences of RED‐S can cause them irreversible problems.

L’animal de compagnie : un soutien médico-psychologique sous-estimé ?

Pet ownership seems to be medico-psychologically helpful and is thought to make a positive contribution to health, health behaviors and the general well-being of young and older people. For many years, researchers have hypothesized about the influence pets may have on their owners’ health, specifically in regard to loneliness, stress, and anxiety. However, such information was anecdotal until the early 1980s, when scientific research demonstrated increased one-year survival rate for pet-owning cardiac patients. Subsequent research has expanded to explore the neuroendocrine pathways that may account for the positive physical and psychosocial health benefits of pet ownership. The widespread ownership of pets among people of various ages and the effort and money spent on behalf of pets suggests that a majority of owners derive a significant benefit from their companionship. People's histories with pets are likely to influence their pattern of ownership, the benefits they derive from ownership, their perceptions of the pet's role and the degree to which the pet influences the person's sense of well-being. This article, which does not claim to be an exhaustive review of the literature, aims to (re) sensitize the reader to the benefits of pet ownership and the human – companion animal interaction on medico-psychological health. Pet ownership, or just being in the presence of a companion animal, is associated with health benefits, including improvements in mental, social, and physiologic health status. While the physical and musculoskeletal benefits of having a pet are obvious, the other relays, social, cardiovascular and immune, are less well known. Even if dog ownership appears to facilitate walking behavior, only a minority of older dog owners walks their dogs. There are links between pet's ownership, and hypertension, hyperlipidemia, physical activity, obesity, autonomic function, heart rate variability, cardiovascular reactivity, enhanced secretion of S-IgA, stress-related parameters such as cortisol, improvement of immune system functioning, pain management and survival in people with and without established cardiovascular disease. Positive relationships show measurably higher oxytocin with lower cortisol and alpha-amylase levels. Psychological well-being, for its part, passes mainly through social relays. The psychological benefits of companion animals are most likely to be through reduction in depression, anxiety, social isolation, self-reported fear and anxiety, reported loneliness, and through enhanced empathy, improved learning, increased trustworthiness of and trust toward other persons. These benefits, however, are probably linked to the degree of bonding of the owner with the animal. It appears, however, that most of the existing work is focused primarily on dog owners, and that a gap exists in the scientific literature about cat owners and the so-called “NACs”, namely New Pets.

Expectations for dog ownership: Perceived physical, mental and psychosocial health consequences among prospective adopters.

Dog ownership is popular worldwide, with most human-dog dyads forming successful attachment bonds. However, millions of dogs are surrendered to animal shelters annually, possibly due to mismatches between owner expectations and the realities of dog ownership. The aim of the current study was to explore the benefits and challenges people expect from dog ownership and how these expectations vary with previous ownership history. An Australian-wide sample of 3465 prospective adopters completed a self-administered online questionnaire about the physical, mental and psychosocial health benefits and challenges they associated with dog ownership. Among the potential benefits, respondents expected increased walking (89%), happiness (89%) and companionship (61%) and decreased stress (74%) and loneliness (61%). Among the challenges, they expected increased responsibility (64%) and dog training (62%). Ownership history influenced respondents’ expectations, with previous/current dog owners having consistently greater odds of expecting benefits and reduced odds of expecting challenges than non-owners. A possible explanation is that previous/current dog owners’ exhibit bias when considering dog ownership by selectively recalling positive experiences from previous ownership. Our findings support the need for education of prospective dog owners to ensure their expectations align with the reality of ownership, based on current scientific evidence.

Prevalence and sociodemographic patterns of physical activity among Bangladeshi young adults

BackgroundPhysical activity offers physical and psychosocial health benefits that are important during young adulthood and later in life. However, little is known about the physical activity of young adults in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to estimate the participation of physical activity in Bangladeshi young adults and to assess differences by gender, age and family income.MethodsThis cross-sectional study with a self-administered survey used a convenience sample of 573 young adults aged 18–24 years from six purposively selected universities in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Data were collected during September–November 2015. Medians and their interquartile ranges of weekly time spent in total physical activity, and in different domains of physical activity, were computed. Non-parametric equality of medians test was used to examine gender differences in the median values. Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to examine gender differences in the prevalence of meeting physical activity recommendations and frequency of participation in different leisure-time physical activities, and differences in meeting the activity recommendations by age and family income.ResultsSeventeen percent of the participants were meeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendations with a significantly higher proportion of males than females (27 vs. 6%, p < .0001). Median duration of MVPA was significantly higher (p < .0001) for males [120 min/week (80, 190)] than females [90 min/week (50, 120)]. Jogging/running was the most commonly reported leisure-time physical activity, with 20% of males and 12% of females doing this at least once a week. Age and family income were not significantly associated with meeting MVPA recommendations.ConclusionsFour out of five young adults in Dhaka City did not meet the physical activity recommendations. Additional population-based studies, including regional and metropolitan areas, and using objective measurement, are needed to understand the physical activity patterns of Bangladeshi young adults.

Opinion Leaders in Online Cancer Support Groups: An Investigation of Their Antecedents and Consequences

ABSTRACTWith a focus on the nature and dynamic process of social interactions among breast cancer patients, this study argues that the notion of opinion leaders can be another crucial factor in explaining positive psychosocial health outcomes within computer-mediated social support (CMSS) groups. This study investigates the relationship between opinion leaders and their psychosocial health benefits by considering two overarching questions: (a) Who are the opinion leaders? (b) What role do these opinion leaders play in explaining health outcomes? The data analyzed in this study resulted from merging human-coded content analysis of discussion group messages, action log data analysis of interactive health system usage, and longitudinal survey data. Surveys were administered to 221 women with breast cancer; participants were provided free access to and training for the CMSS groups developed by the Comprehensive Health Support System (CHESS) project. The findings suggest that opinion leaders obtained psychosocial health benefits, such as higher levels of cancer information competence, breast cancer knowledge, and better problem-focused coping strategies. Those who had a higher baseline level of breast cancer knowledge and optimism in coping with challenges in their life were more likely to act as opinion leaders. Implications for research and improving psychosocial interventions for people with health concerns are discussed.

Can't play, won't play: longitudinal changes in perceived barriers to participation in sports clubs across the child–adolescent transition

BackgroundParticipation in sports is associated with numerous physical and psychosocial health benefits, however, participation declines with age, and knowledge of perceived barriers to participation in children is lacking. This longitudinal...

Associations between built environment and physical activity of 7–8-year-old children. Cross-sectional results from the Lithuanian COSI study

Background and aimResearch shows that regular engagement in physical activity in childhood is associated with multiple physical and psychosocial health benefits. The data on associations between children physical activity level and built environment in Lithuania are limited. The built environment is one of many variables thought to affect children physical activity level. But consequently there is growing interest in how physical environment influences physical activity of school age children. The aim of this paper is to evaluate associations between physical activity of primary school age children and built environment (road safety, travel distance, playgrounds, etc.) in Lithuania. Materials and methodsData were obtained participating in the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). The study protocol was granted ethical approval from Lithuanian Bioethics Committee (No. 6B-10-02). Parents/guardians provided written informed consent. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2013. A multilevel sampling method was employed for composing a national representative sample. The representing data were collected by means of standardized questionnaires, which were filled out by 3802 parents of the selected first-formers. ResultsThe mean age of the first-formers was 7.3 years (SD 0.5). More than half (62.2%) of parents stated that roads to schools were safe; most (78.7%) of adults notified that children had where to play and exercise in their living area. Place of residence of family and recreation areas in living environment were significant predictors of children's daily physical activity and possibility to attend sport or dancing clubs. ConclusionsResults from the national survey of 7–8-year-old children of Lithuania reveal that urban living area of families, availability of playgrounds and recreational facilities were associated with higher possibilities of children to be sufficiently physically active.

Sports Participation and Juvenile Delinquency: A Meta-Analytic Review.

Participation in sports activities is very popular among adolescents, and is frequently encouraged among youth. Many psychosocial health benefits in youth are attributed to sports participation, but to what extent this positive influence holds for juvenile delinquency is still not clear on both the theoretical and empirical level. There is much controversy on whether sports participation should be perceived as a protective or a risk factor for the development of juvenile delinquency. A multilevel meta-analysis of 51 published and unpublished studies, with 48 independent samples containing 431 effect sizes and N = 132,366 adolescents, was conducted to examine the relationship between sports participation and juvenile delinquency and possible moderating factors of this association. The results showed that there is no overall significant association between sports participation and juvenile delinquency, indicating that adolescent athletes are neither more nor less delinquent than non-athletes. Some study, sample and sports characteristics significantly moderated the relationship between sports participation and juvenile delinquency. However, this moderating influence was modest. Implications for theory and practice concerning the use of sports to prevent juvenile delinquency are discussed.